FC Goa have it easy against Jamshedpur

Margao: FC Goa returned to their fortress in style, with a 3-0 win against Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday.
Iker Guarrotxena (2’) gave Goa a perfect start and Noah Sadaoui (12’) put the hosts in a comfortable position. Substitute Brison Fernandes (90+3) sealed victory scoring his maiden goal in the ISL in spectacular fashion.
After a setback against defending champions Hyderabad FC in the previous game, Goa’s third win in four games helped them move to the second spot with nine points. Jamshedpur's second defeat of the season put them in the eighth position with four points.
Goa returned to their ‘home’ after 972 days, playing the last two seasons in the state itself, but inside a bio-secure bubble due to Covid-19. The ever-vociferous crowd was there on hand to boost the former finalists.
Goa felt comfortable at home, and it took just two minutes for Carlos Pena’s side to have their belief strengthened.
Following a corner, Edu Bedia, now the club’s longest serving foreigner into his sixth season, sent in a dangerous cross. Redeem Tlang’s touch helped the ball find the feet of Iker, who bulged the nylons from close.
Jamshedpur were stunned in their 100th ISL game as Goa grew in confidence. But the hosts suffered an early blow after Syrian centre-back Fares Arnaout had to be stretched out due to an injury.
The two-time finalists faced a defensive crisis with Marc Valiente and Alvaro Vazquez both injured. There was no foreigner among the substitutes. There was Leander D’Cunha and Saviour Gama, both wing backs, available on the bench, but Pena took everyone by surprise when he chose midfielder Glan Martins to substitute Fares.
If there was any pressure on the back-four, it was eased out in the 12th minute when Brandon Fernandes, highest assist holder for an Indian, won the ball from Jitendra Singh in midfield and then tore the Jamshedpur defence apart by sending Noah through.
The Moroccan international has been a talking point for his missed chances, but the 29-year-old laid all doubts to rest with his calm and neat finish that injured forward Alvaro Vazquez appreciated from the stands.
Jamshedpur were unsettled, chasing the ball which they never showed heart to win. Goa custodian Dheeraj Singh didn’t have to do much as he could easily start the moves from the back.
At the half an hour mark, a long ball came from the back and it wasn’t surprising to see Glan providing a delightful ball to Noah. The Moroccan broke the offside trap, raced into the box but could not keep his feet on the ground after a tussle with Eli Sabia, even as Goa pleaded for a penalty.
Goa continued to pass the ball with ease. They enjoyed over 60% ball possession and completed almost four times the number of passes compared to Jamshedpur.
Dheeraj was finally tested by Wellington Priori before the break but simply fisted away the threat confidently.
Goa came close before the break but Redeem’s header hit the horizontal.
Both teams had chances to capitalise on defensive errors in the second half, but none could make it count. Iker’s shot on goal was feeble after Rehenesh TP’s miss-kick, while at the other end, Daniel Chima shot wide after Seriton Fernandes was at fault.
Jamshedpur did exert pressure in the final quarter but Dheeraj was in no mood to give away his second clean sheet of the season.
Brison, Goa’s developmental player, then rose from the bench to make it 3-0 in the dying minutes with a delightful strike in the final minute.