ALLAN VALENTINO D’CRUZ
allan@herald-goa.com
BAMBOLIM: Nothing seems to be going right for FC Goa at least for now. On Friday night, Jamshedpur FC – a team against whom FC Goa had the best record – scored not once but thrice and took home the three points leaving the host without a win after two games in Indian Super League.
JFC’s Lithuanian striker Nerijus Valskis made it look easy scoring past FC Goa where he netted twice with both goals having a touch of a class, thus ending his nine-game goal drought, at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim.
Jordan Murray scored the third for the visiting team while FC Goa’s new signing Airan Cabrera finally found the back of the net, which provided a balm for Gaurs’ wound.
Coming from a heavy defeat, FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando made four changes to his lineup. Seriton Fernandes, Aiban Dohling returned in the backline while Jorge Ortiz was preferred over Airan Carbera as the third foreigner while Devendra Murgaonkar started upfront.
FC Goa had a smooth start but continued with their sluggish performance put up against Mumbai FC in their opener which they lost 3-0. They maintained their possession, but that wasn’t helping much without any attempts on goal.
For Coyle, his side had an impressive first session but was left frustrated when Komal Thotal’s shot from outside the box was ruled offside as it looked like Jitendra Singh obstructed FC Goa’s custodian Dheeraj Singh.
FC Goa should be thankful to a brilliant goalkeeping from Dheeraj, who made two excellent saves late in the first half. The keeper, who was earlier named in the best XI of the AFC Champions League, first stopped S Doungel from scoring with a brilliant body block and then denied Valskis.
It was a solid defending from both teams in the first session but FC Goa failed to make a single attempt and trouble JFC keeper TP Rehenesh.
However, Juan’s side had an intense second half opening. Skipper Edu Bedia fired a low freekick from outside the box which caught everyone by surprise but an alert Rehenesh did well to get a hand to it.
If Rehenesh was good with his first save, he was even better with his second one. Edu Bedia, the most effective player for FC Goa, found Alberto Noguera with a through ball. The Spaniard was set through, but Rehenesh came with a diving save, which would be probably the save of the match.
And just when it looked like FC Goa might have found the missing piece, they were hit hard by the 2019-20 Golden Boot winner Nerijus Valskis. Doungel served a long delivery to Greg Stewart, who did well to get the ball at Valskis’ feet and the striker scored with a low grounder to put his side ahead.
At the hour mark, the foreigner duo strikers combined again for the team’s second. Stewart sent a perfect delivery from a free kick which was then stylishly nodded in by Valskis to pile further misery on the already wounded Gaurs.
With 10 minutes left, Jamshedpur FC fired in their third and this time it was Jordan Murray who scored with his first touch of the game after coming on as a sub.
Edu Bedia was unlucky not to score as his half volley came off the crossbar.
However, in the 86th minute Goa pulled a goal back. Ortiz from left found Cabrera in the box, who controlled and fired a left footer which gave no chance for Rehenesh.
FC Goa will next play NorthEast United on November 29.
