ISL: Another win for Goa, this time at home

Margao: Bottom-placed Sporting Club Delhi made FC Goa work hard for a 1-0 win in their Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday.

Dejan Drazic missed a second half penalty, but most importantly scored the winner before the break to help his side register a second win on the trot after the opening day draw against Inter Kashi at home.


Goa moved to the top of the points table with seven points. They are followed by second-placed East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City and Jamshedpur FC, all of whom have six points after two rounds.

Delhi remained rooted at the bottom after being handed their third consecutive defeat.

Goa head coach Manolo Marquez made only one change to his starting 11 that defeated Mohammedan SC 2-0 last week. This time, the Spaniard entrusted the attacking duties to Ishan Pandita, instead of the injured Muhammed Nemil.

The home side were wary of Delhi's playing style, although Tomasz Tchorz's side suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening games.

The teams started on equal footing and it remained like that for the first half an hour.

Goa captain Sandesh Jhingan came close early on as his glancing header went just wide.

At the other end, Serbian Matija Babovic tried to break the deadlock for Delhi, but his effort didn't trouble Goa custodian Hrithik Tiwari.

Goa finally got their breakthrough two minutes before the break when a long ball from Aakash Sangwan caught the rival defence napping. Drazic had timed his run to perfection and toed the ball past Delhi keeper Nora Fernandes.

It was Dejan's third goal of the campaign and first from open play after converting two penalties in the first two games.
The Serbian wanted more and raced inside the danger zone again, but this time Nora did well to thwart the effort.

With a goal advantage, Goa's confidence was boosted and it showed from their fluid play in the second half.

Ishan came agonisingly close as his right-footer missed the top corner of the goal.

Then, in the 58th minute, Goa rightfully won a penalty after Ayush Adhikari handled the ball inside the danger zone. Referee Jamal Mohamed allowed play to continue for some seconds before Goa players made their protest loud and clear and secured the penalty.

Drazic stepped up for the spot kick but ballooned his attempt over.

Goa continued to work hard. Sahil Tavora was inches away from scoring until Delhi made a goalline clearance in the 73rd minute.

Goa have three away games against East Bengal (Mar 5), Punjab FC (Mar 16) and Chennaiyin FC (Mar 22) before they return to host Bengaluru FC on Apr 4.