Goa blank Jamshedpur, seal last semifinal spot

Spanish forward Ferran Corominas struck twice as FC Goa blanked Jamshedpur FC 3-0 to seal a last-four spot in an eventful Indian Super League match which saw both  the rival goalkeepers being red-carded here on Sunday.

FC Goa needed at least a draw to seal their spot in the final four, but the win at the JRD Tata Sports Complex took them to third in the points table, one place above FC Pune City.

The Goan side will take on Chennaiyin FC in the last four while table toppers Bengaluru FC face FC Pune City in the other play-off match.

Jamshedpur fought valiantly but are now out of the reckoning and will look forward to the Super Cup after finishing fifth in the league.

It took just seven minutes for the first major event of the match. Jamshedpur had started with a lot of attacking intent, but were left deflated when Subrata Paul handled the ball outside the area and got himself sent off.

With a man down, the home side were staring at an ominous result.

Head coach Steve Coppell sacrificed Bikash Jairu to send in goalkeeper Sanjiban Ghosh and he conceded at the half-hour mark. It was a typical free-flowing move from Goa. Hugo Boumous slipped Seriton Fernandes through, and his cross was missed by Tiri, leaving Corominas to score from the far post with ease.

Jamshedpur had no option but to chase the match and that left big gaps at the back. Lanzarote's aerial through ball found Corominas on the run, and he slammed it past the goalkeeper after excellent technique to control the ball.Ahmed Jahouh took a rasping effort from a distance which struck the woodwork, but FC Goa soon found the third goal.