FC Goa fight back for win against Punjab

Margao: FC Goa brought some respectability to their place on the Indian Super League (ISL) table with a gritty 2-1 win against Punjab FC, their second on the trot, at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday.

After struggling at the start with just one win from their first six games, Goa have now climbed up to third with their second successive win. It wasn’t beautiful or dominating like the one against Bengaluru FC in the previous game, but coach Manolo Marquez will take two out of two before the international break.

Like he said before the encounter, “at least you will spend some days with good feelings.”

Bosnia-Herzegovina forward Asmir Suljic provided Punjab with a 13th minute lead, but Goa equalised less than ten minutes later through, who else but Armando Sadiku, who has now scored in seven consecutive ISL matches.

Goa managed the winner four minutes after the restart. It came from a quick counter where Dejan Drazic forced a save from goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, and Iker Guarrotxena was on hand to slam home the rebound.

Iker was handed his first start this season by Manolo, more out of compulsion than choice, as Carl McHugh was out with an injury. Also without Borja Herrera, it meant Goa were without a foreigner in midfield for the first time and it reflected in the way the ball was being moved around.

Punjab were quick and impressive, no surprise that they’d won four of their last five games. They kept the ball, pressed hard, won the second balls quite easily, and seemed to be the team in control. When Luka Majcen and Suljic combined inside the box for the opener, thanks also to Nihal Sudheesh’s pace and excellent cross, it seemed in tune with the proceedings on the field.

To Goa’s credit, they didn’t panic, possibly knowing they had the home advantage. The belief also stemmed from the attacking trio of Sadiku, Dejan and Iker.

True to form, Iker slipped the ball through for Sadiku who, given the form he is in, wouldn’t miss from inside the box, even from a difficult angle. Midfielder Ayush Chhetri and Sahil Tavora played an equal role in the goal, having beautifully moved the ball to the final third.

Punjab continued to dominate the ball and Goa needed a big save from goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari at the stroke of half time to stay level.

After the change of ends, Goa won the ball inside their own half after dispossessing Ivan Novoselec – who injured himself and had to be stretchered off -- and launched a counter. Iker carried it forward, played it for Dejan and his attempt was blocked by the keeper. The rebound, though, was finished in style by Iker in the 49th minute.

Till the 70th minute, Punjab had the lion’s share of the ball, 73% to be precise. The introduction of Brison Fernandes turned the tide in Goa’s favour with the youngster’s pace creating panic every time he had the ball at his feet.

Iker struck the post with a curler, Brison too went close, but in the end, it was a desperate block from defender Sandesh Jhingan that foiled Mushagalusa Bakenga in the seventh minute of stoppage time and helped Goa pick up all three points.


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