ISL 3: FC Goa registers their first win

by Chittu Shetty October 22, 2016

Richarlyson’s 41^st minute goal remained the difference between the two sides, as FC Goa recorded their first win of the ISL 2016 season.

With the top spot up for grabs, Mumbai City FC came up with a disappointing performance as they lost 0-1 to bottom placed FC Goa. Despite getting numerous chances in the second half, Mumbai failed to break the determined Goa defence as the visitors registered their first victory of the season.

Mumbai started with a 4-3-3 formation with Vadocz at the heart of the midfield, Young Rakesh Oram made his first start, while Sony Norde and Matias Defederico were boosted in the attack with the return of Marquee player Diego Forlan.

Goa formed a 3-4-2-1 formation with Robin Singh as the lone striker, supported by Jofre and Julio Cesar, who replaced injured Rafael Coelho. Pratesh Shirodkar got his first start of the season, in place of Sanjay Balmuchu’s who faced suspension, as he paired up with Trindade Goncalves in central midfield.

Raju Gaikwad, Gregory Arnolin and Rafael Dumas Started at the three-man defence, while Keenan Almeida and Richarlyson played as wing-backs.

The game began with Mumbai attacking frequently, Haitian midfielder Sony Norde troubling the Goans every now and then, with his runs and passes’. Forlan had an opportunity miss, when his ambitious free kick from around 30 yards went over the bar. Minutes later, another free kick saw Forlan cross it inside the box which was not able to capitalize by the Mumbai attack.

In the 41^st minute, a Julio cesar cross found an onrushing Richarlyson as his first time shot beat Mumbai defence and went in to the net, as Goa went up 1-0 going in to the break.

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Second half began with Goa looking confident after that first goal, a couple of chances were wasted early in the second half. First, Robin Singh missed the ball in the middle of the Mumbai box. While the impressive Cesar’s brilliant freekick into the box missed Raju Gaikwad who only needed a touch as the keeper was completely beaten but couldn’t do so. For Mumbai City, Diego Forlan made an attempt from long out that missed the top corner by inches.

Soon Jackichand was brought into the attack in to bolster the fading Mumbai attack. The youngster almost made an impact with a good run down the flanks before coming up with a weak cross. Although the cross found defedrico somehow, the argentine’s attempt at curling the ball to the far post went wide off target.

After a brief phase of dull period were both sides substituted their tired players, Mumbai’s Sony Norde pierced through the Goa defense around the 80^th minute, the Haitian shot was stopped by the Goa centre back, although he had better options like passing the ball to an unmarked  Jackichand Singh on the right side.

In the dying minutes of the game, Julio Cesar attempted a cross which almost sneaked in but for a diving save from Mumbai custodian Volpato. In the 90th minute, another opportunity came in for goa, Mandar found Cesar with a cross but the offside flag was raised as FC Goa failed to double the lead.

In the last minute of the game, young David Lalrinmuana earned a free-kick in a dangerous position, but Forlan’s disappointing night was visible again as he failed to find a Blue shirt. Goa despite with this win, remain at the bottom of table with 4 points from five games, while Mumbai remained at second place with eight points from six games.

Mumbai City FC 0 – 1 FC Goa (Richarlyson 41’)