FC Goa secure first win of the season.
FC Goa coach Zico had said before the game that he was confident of making a turnaround like they did in the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) when they reached the semis after getting just one point in first four games. His boys didn't disappoint as a thunderous strike from Brazilian midfielder Richarlyson Felisbino helped FC Goa to a 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai on Friday.
The match started on a drab note with neither of the teams being able to get into rhythm. However, the hosts secured as many as four freekicks in promising positions which weren’t put to good use by Diego Forlan and Matias Defederico. Goa’s playmaker Joffre produced a telling pass from the left in the 24th minute but before it could reach goal bound Julio Cesar, defender Aiborlang Khongjee made a sliding clearance to avert danger.
The Zico-coached team came close to taking the lead in the 35th minute when defender Keenan Almeida played an one two with Cesar but shot a little wide of the far post.
However, five minutes later, the visitors got a free kick on the edge of the box and Cesar’s cross was met with supreme power by unmarked Richarlyson and the ball rocketed into the net after hitting the inside of the cross bar.
Just after the break, Goa got easy goal scoring chances but forward Robin Singh and defender Raju Gaikwad wasted them inexplicably. In the 46th minute, the ball was headed into Robin’s path by Cesar but he fluffed his shot with Mumbai goalkeeper Roberto Volpato at his mercy. Two minutes later, Gaikwad failed to head Cesar’s freekick into the net after being inches away from goal line.
Frustrated with lack of success with short passes, Forlan and Defederico tried to test FC Goa keeper, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury from long range but their shots were off target. Mumbai’s Haitian forward Sony Norde skipped past three players to get a sight on goal in the 79th minute but his shot was blocked by Rafael Dumas.
Brazilian Cesar who ran the show on Friday evening could have had a goal to his credit but his curling left-footer in the 88th minute was palmed away by Volpato.
Despite gathering just two points from the last four games, Mumbai still occupy the second position in the table but they will have a lot to ponder on in the upcoming days, specially since their marquee star Forlan is failing to make an impact.
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