Goa, Feb 6: FC Goa defeated Odisha FC by 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Thursday. The Gaurs jumped to the second spot, replacing Jamshedpur FC (34), as a result of this triumph, having 36 points to their name.
The Manolo Marquez-coached side took six shots on target as opposed to the two of Odisha FC, also making 15 interceptions vis-à-vis the seven by the Juggernauts, reflecting their superiority in both ends of the field.
Odisha FC had a brilliant chance to take the lead on the back of a fantastic free-kick effort by Ahmed Jahouh, who was making his 150th ISL appearance, in the 28th minute.
Stepping up to lead the set-piece wide down the left flank, Jahouh’s accuracy and the weight on the ball meant that his kick took the entire FC Goa backline by surprise. The ball rattled off the crossbar, but the home team quickly overturned this momentum with a patient build-up.
Carl McHugh was at the centre of this move, slicing open the Odisha FC backline with a well-paced pass for Borja Herrera in the inside channel down the left side of the box.
Herrera picked up the ball with a deft touch and squared it immediately for Brison Fernandes in the middle of the 18-yard area. Brison adjusted his feet and drilled the ball into the bottom right corner with a rather reflexive shot in the 29th minute to get the Gaurs the first advantage.
Nine minutes later, Diego Mauricio tried to pull the Juggernauts back into the contest, as he earned a foul off Aakash Sangwan inside the penalty box. Sangwan was booked and Mauricio undertook the spot-kick duties. Taking his time, he aimed for the right side of the net but an alert Hrithik Tiwari showed composure and terrific reflexes to make an outstretched dive and make the important save.
The duo of Herrera and Brison came back to mount problems on Odisha FC in the second half.
As Iker Guarrotxena won a free kick from distance, Herrera’s long ball was directed towards Sandesh Jhingan deep into the box.
Mourtada Fall made a hasty clearance and the ball landed at Brison’s feet.
The attacker hurled in a powerful shot, which took a deflection off Lalthathanga Khawlhring, resulting in an own goal on the Odisha FC player’s name.
The Juggernauts dragged their way back into the game as they caught the FC Goa midfield in a slightly disoriented shape in the 54th minute.(Agencies)
