FC Goa rout ATK Mohun Bagan 3-0
Gaurs script a special night with their first ever win against the Mariners
Goa, November 20, 2022: Goals in the second half by Aibanbha Dohling and super-subs Fares Arnaout and Noah Sadaoui helped FC Goa register an emphatic 3-0 win over ATK Mohun Bagan at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.
The victory also resulted in the end of the Mariners’ unbeaten run over the Gaurs, which had lasted for two seasons since the former’s inception.
Earlier in the day, FC Goa Head Coach Carlos Pena rang in two changes to the playing XI that started in the defeat against Kerala Blasters, as Redeem Tlang and Marc Valiente replaced Noah Sadaoui and the injured Saviour Gama, respectively. The return of the Spaniard bolstered the Gaurs’ defence.
The first half saw the hosts dominate most stat charts with Pena’s boys maintaining 58% of the ball possession, playing nearly double the number of accurate passes as their opponents, with four shots on target during the period.
It all began in the 2nd minute itself, when a sumptuous long ball forward from Edu Bedia in the midfield found Alvaro Vazquez, who advanced into the ATKMB box and pulled the trigger, forcing Vishal Kaith to make an equally brilliant diving save.
Three minutes later, both Iker Guarrotxena and Bedia tested the 26-year-old in quick succession, but the opening goal continued to remain elusive.
In the 22nd minute, when FC Goa finally managed to put the ball into their opponents’ net courtesy of a tap-in by Vazquez, the goal was ruled out because of an off-side call by the referee. This did not deter the Men in Orange as they continued to create chances at will, and ultimately ended the first half on a promising note.
Aiban steals the show with stunner
Following the change of ends, it took only five minutes for the Gaurs to get the much-awaited lead. It was orchestrated by Anwar Ali, who spotted Aibanbha Dohling’s run on the left wing and put a diagonal long ball into his path, only for the latter to outrun the defender, go towards the goal and squeeze a shot into the top right corner of the net from the tightest of angles.
The goal put ATK Mohun Bagan further on the back foot, and that they could not win the ball back from FC Goa did not help their cause either.
Soon afterwards, Pena brought Fares Arnaout and Noah Sadaoui on from the bench, in what eventually proved to be a tactical masterstroke. Both players found the back of the net in a space of six minutes and put the game to bed.
Arnaout’s strike came first, in the 76th minute. Edu Bedia found himself in the thick of things once again, as he launched a corner-kick on to the near post, and the Syrian international in turn escaped his marker before nodding the ball home.
The final nail on the Mariners’ coffin was driven in by Sadaoui in the 82nd minute, when he caught their goalkeeper Kaith out of position and drilled one in from over 30 yards out.
Special mention must go to FC Goa’s defence, whose astuteness was rewarded with a clean-sheet, their third of the season. The victory, meanwhile, puts the Men in Orange at third place with 12 points from six matches.
Up next for Carlos Pena’s boys is yet another assignment at home, against Bengaluru FC on Saturday, November 26.
Also Read: I-League Roundup: Kenkre starts brightly, Defending Champs Gokulam mean business
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Battle lines drawn as 20 clubs gear up for the National Group Stage of Reliance Foundation Development League 2024
Mumbai, April 11: The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2024 has reached a pivotal moment as the Regional Qualifiers conclude, paving the way for an intense National Group Stage. This will take…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
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…
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…
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…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
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…