PANJIM: In a game of fine margins, FC Goa had themselves to be blamed and probably the crossbar as they slumped to 0-1 defeat against Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim.
The result dealt a severe blow for FC Goa’s aspiration to find a place in the knockout stage.
The Gaurs created a plethora of chances throughout the game. However, it was the crossbar which denied Derrick Pereira’s men not once but thrice.
Airam Cabrera, Anwar Ali and Alberto Noguera all saw their efforts coming off the frame. While the stubborn ball refused to enter the Jamshedpur FC goal, the Gaurs were unlucky to concede a Daniel Chukwu goal in the second half, who seemed to be in an offside position.
The Gaurs missed the services of Jorge Ortiz in the midfield who was rested after picking a knock during the warmup. However with Brandon Fernandes returning in the side, the Gaurs had the creativity in the midfield but couldn’t get past the Jamshedpur FC defence.
FC Goa came closest to scoring in the 28th minute where Ivan Gonzalez saw his header hit the crossbar. However, the ball fell to the feet of Edu Bedia, but the Spaniard was denied by an alert TP Rehenesh whose outstretched right foot kept the ball out of the frame.
Jamshedpur FC were gifted the goal soon after the restart. Laldinliana Renthlei chipped in a delivery to Daniel Chukwu, who powered his way into the box and pulled the trigger. FC Goa custodian Naveen Kumar fumbled to deal with the powerful strike at the near post as the ball brushed his fingertips and entered the goal. Daniel was a bit lucky with the offside call, as he managed to score on his debut for Jamshedpur FC.
FC Goa continued to press in search of the equaliser and nearly found it at the hour mark when Edu Bedia’s cross found Anwar Ali, who got his foot to the ball, only to see the ball crash into the crossbar. In the next minute, Airam Cabrera’s shot from inside the area missed the target.
Later, TP Rehenesh was at his best throughout and denied Edu Bedia late in the game. His heroics earned him the player of the match award.
With just ten minutes left for the final whistle, FC Goa were denied by the crossbar the third time in the game where Airam saw his shot from inside the box with a left-footed volley.
