FC Goa breeze past Sporting Clube de Goa in Bhausaheb Bandodkar Trophy

by FC August 24, 2024

FC Goa began their Bhausaheb Bandodkar Trophy 2024 journey with an emphatic 4-0 win over Sporting Clube de Goa at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, August 24.

The Gaurs, despite the heavy rain, displayed their dominance with a brace from Spanish midfielder Borja Herrera and late goals from Armando Sadiku and Boris Singh.

This match marked the first competitive outing of the 2024-25 season for FC Goa’s first team, with head coach Manolo Marquez making strategic use of the opportunity to test his squad. Newcomers Bob Jackson, Muhammad Hammad, Sanatomba Singh, Dejan Drazic, and Alan Saji made their debuts, while young talents Muhammed Nemil, Ayush Chhetri, and Brison Fernandes also featured prominently in the starting lineup.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, FC Goa controlled the match for the majority of the 90 minutes, keeping Sporting Clube de Goa on the back foot. The first half ended without any goals, but the Gaurs’ dominance was evident as they spent most of the time in their opponents’ half.

The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Drazic won a penalty after being fouled in the box. Borja Herrera converted it with precision, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and firing into the top-right corner. Six minutes later, Borja struck again, this time with a powerful long-range shot following a neat build-up involving Ayush Chhetri and Drazic.

In the latter stages, debutant Armando Sadiku added a third goal with a well-placed effort from outside the box in the 82nd minute. Boris Singh then sealed the victory with a fourth goal, finishing off an excellent pass from Brison.

On the defensive end, Sporting Clube de Goa struggled to penetrate FC Goa’s backline. Odei Onaindia and Nim Dorjee provided a solid defensive foundation, with support from Bob, Hammad, and Sanatomba.

Looking ahead, FC Goa will face Brisbane Roar from the A-League Side in their next fixture of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Trophy, scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, with kick-off at 7:00 PM IST at the same venue.

_{^{MediaCredits: @FCGoa Media Team}}

Also Read: Reliance Foundation Young Champs Naupang League returns for the third season

Also Read: ISL announces the inclusion of Mohammedan Sporting Club, from the 2024-25 Season

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.