Clinical Gaurs smash 4 goals, earn 1st clean sheet of season
FC Goa put on a stunning display to blank a ten man FC Pune City 4-0 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, keeping their first clean sheet of the tournament.
Manuel Lanzarote opened the scoring in the 28th minute from the penalty spot, sending Vishal Kaith the wrong way. The Gaurs did well to keep the home side out in the first period, taking a 1-0 lead into the break. The men in white came out all guns blazing in the second period and doubled their lead through Hugo Boumous in the 47th minute. Two became three in the 58th minute when Ferran Corominas ran through on goal and netted a superb goal at the far post. He then stepped up to take the Gaurs’ second penalty, slotting it past Kaith once more after Sarthak Golui handled Mandar Rao Dessai’s 65th minute cross. Pune skipper Marcelinho was sent off for his second yellow after a poor foul on Pronay in the 80th minute.
It was a good start for the Gaurs who pressed from the start in a must win game. Lanzarote had the first chance in the match when he cut back from the right flank on to his left foot and curled an effort at Vishal Kaith’s goal. However, the shot lacked any power and Kaith collected easily. Pune had a chance in the 11th minute when Lanzarote fouled Marcelinho near the byline on the left side. The Brazilian stepped up and curled an indirect free kick towards the far post where Sahil Panwar rose highest to head goal wards. However, the ball ricocheted off the upright and deflected out of play.
Lanzarote had another opportunity to give his side the lead in the 19th minute after the Gaurs were awarded a free kick in a promising position. The Spaniard’s curled effort flew inches wide of the near post. In the 28th minute, the Gaurs went ahead. Coro was played in down the right as the Spaniard put in another low ball towards the young Moroccan midfielder who was taken out by Adil Khan in his attempt to hit the ball. The referee pointed to the spot immediately. Lanzarote stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the men in white an important lead.
Also Read: Francis stars on debut with late equaliser for Red Machines
The home side began to put pressure on the Goans after going a goal down. Goa were struggling to keep the Stallions in check as Marcelinho troubled the defence on a number of occasions. The Brazilian could have restored parity to proceedings in the 41st minute after Diego Carlos passed the ball to him inside the box. He let the ball come to his preferred left foot and released a superb low shot aimed at the far post. However, Naveen Kumar got down quickly making the stop. As the half petered to a close, the Gaurs should have had another goal. With Pune bombing forward, they were prone to the counter-attack and Coro almost hurt them with the clock running down quickly. Coro received the ball in midfield and charged forward. Boumous made a run along the left flank, received a pass from the Spaniard and then put in a superb low ball. Coro got to the ball and hit a shot goalwards but the shot was blocked by Kaith to keep the deficit down to only one.
Sergio’s men came out firing on all cylinders in the second period and should have doubled their lead within a minute of the restart. The Gaurs charged down the middle, Boumous made a superb run through the lines, took the ball, ran to the byline and then cut back on to his stronger right foot. He then dinked a superb ball towards Lanzarote who was three yards from goal. The Spaniard however, hit his shot straight at Kaith as the chance went begging. A few seconds later, Boumous struck the post with a thunderous shot from just outside the box. The early pressure finally paid off for the Gaurs. Coro received the ball in the box and kept his calm to square the ball for Boumous who ran into the box. The Moroccan dodged the challenge of a defender and calmly slotted the ball into the net with his left foot from a few yards out.
The Gaurs continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded once more. A superb flowing move saw Boumous flick on a scintillating ball into space for Coro to run on to. The Spaniard showed superb pace to get to the ball, charge into the box and then shoot the ball into the net at the far post. Pune were struggling to keep pace with the Goans and the defence was constantly under pressure. Mandar Rao Dessai should have made it 4-0 in the 61st minute after Coro threaded a stunning through ball for the Goan winger. Vishal Kaith however, came running off his line and the Goan tried to chip him but couldn’t get enough elevation to beat the keeper.
Also Read: It’s Great To Play For A Manipuri Team In I-League: Subash Singh
The Gaurs did however, make it 4 not long after when Mandar was played through on the left once again. His attempted cross came off the hand of Sarthak Golui and the referee pointed to the spot once again. This time Coro stepped up and smashed his penalty past Kaith who dived the right way but couldn’t get a hand on the ball. Things went from bad to worse for the Maharashtrian side after Marcelinho’s poor foul on Pronay in the 80th minute. The referee pulled out a second yellow and sent the Brazilian off without hesitation. The Gaurs exercised caution in a bid to keep their first clean sheet of the tournament and kept possession, moving the ball around well.
With a man down, the Stallions weren’t able to get the ball off the Goans and chances were far and few as FC Goa protected their lead vigorously and ended the game with their first clean sheet.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updated on Indian Football
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…