ISL 3: Goa registers their second victory to lift away from the bottom

by Chittu Shetty November 3, 2016

Rafael Coelho’s curling free-kick lifts FC Goa from bottom of the points table as they jump to seventh place above Pune City FC with seven points from eight games.

Coelho lifts Goa from bottom

In the Clash between two bottom-placed sides of the Indian Super League (ISL), FC Goa emerged victorious as they beat FC Pune City 1-0 courtesy to a curling free-kick from Rafael Coelho. The win takes the Gaurs to seventh place, on seven points from eight games, while Pune move to the bottom with six points from seven games.

Pune started with a series of changes Augustin Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues and Anibal Zurdo started the game. For Goa, Laxmikant Kattimani was back between the sticks after an woeful start in the tournament, Gregory Arnolin, Rafael Dumas and Robin Singh too starting the game.

Both the teams started the attack through wings, Sanju Pradhan skipped past Mandar Raobefore crossing for Traore inside the box, but Gregory was alert enough to clear it out. on the other side, Rafael Coelho’s cross from the right, was blocked away by Augustin

Despite having possession Pune failed to test Goan defense. The visitors had their chances too, Jofre Mateu blazed his shot over the bar after being played in by Robin singh. Soon, Romeo sent Coelho with a through ball whose goal bound shot was blocked away by Sissoko

At the half hour mark, Augustin fouled Jofre conceding a free-kick few yards outside the box. Stepping up for the free-kick, Coelho’s curling shot got past a full stretched Bete as it went in to top-left corner, with Goa taking the lead.

In the injury time of first half pune almost shot back when Jonatan Lucca effort from the left was denied by Kattimani. Soon, pune had another effort on goal, Narayan Das’ cross was met by Tato, whose goal bound shot was once again denied by a diving Kattimani as Goa went in to the break with the one goal lead intact.

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Second half began with Pune controlling possession, In the 55^th minute, Tato curling ball in to the box was headed wide by Gouramangi.

Soon Jofre had an opportunity to double the lead, when he was through on goal but his shot was high and wide off target. Zico took off Robin for Raju Gaikwad,to defend the one goal lead and play on counter attack.

On the other end, Lucca almost scored an equalizer when his free-kick from the left was deflected away by an impressive Kattimani as the ball looked towards heading into the top-corner.

Almost at the end of normal time, Coelho had a glorious chance to put the match in to bed, getting past Edel from Reinaldo’s header, with just a last defender left and almost an entire  goal to aim at Coelho hit straight at Rahul Bheke to mess up the chance.

The game ended with Goa managing to hold on to their lead with some resolute defending as they moved past Pune city to jump up the points table to seventh position.

FC Pune City 0 – 1 FC Goa (Coelho 32’)