ISL: FC Goa get into the groove in second half for 3-1 win against Odisha

Margao: Where’s the uzzo, the announcer pointedly asked the fans on the east stand where members of two official fan clubs are always seated with their unmissable banners. There was an awkward silence.
It was midway into FC Goa’s home clash against Odisha FC but with no spark on the field, it surprised nobody that there was no uzzo or fire in the stands. The first half produced zero goals and negligible entertainment for the 2000-odd fans who turned up.
The second half was different.
Goa scored three times after the change of ends for a 3-1 win against Odisha at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday. It was the third win in eight matches for Manolo Marquez’s side and the first time they scored three goals, thanks to the efforts of Dejan Drazic (’62), Pol Moreno (‘81) and Brison Fernandes (90+4, penalty).
VP Suhair scored Odisha’s lone goal in the seventh minute of added on time to put a small stain on what was otherwise a memorable ISL debut for Goa goalkeeper Bob Jackson Raj.
Manolo stayed true to his word to the media on match eve and made changes to his predictable starting lineup with Bob, midfielder Harsh Patre and winger Mohammad Yasir all handed starts for the first time.
The opening half, though, had little action.
Odisha, with a squad that is low on foreign players but rich in ISL-experience, pushed forward initially with KP Rahul’s two efforts sailing wide. Isak Ralte also tried from distance, but his powerful shot lacked direction.
Goa had little to show in terms of shots on goal in the first half. In the second, with Manolo probably reminding the players of their responsibilities in the dressing room, they showed urgency. Dejan and Boris first combined to create an opportunity for Brison inside the box, only to be thwarted by Thoiba Singh.
There was action at the other end too with Isak dangerously close to scoring. Bob, however, kept Goa’s slate clean with an instinctive close-range save. When pressed into action again, the Goa keeper responded with another save, this time with his outstretched leg.
Goa’s first goal came just after the hour mark. Midfielder Ayush Chhetri – in the words of Manolo ‘one of the most important players’ for his side – showed smart thinking to flick the ball over the defence for Drazic, who did well to evade a challenge from Carlos Delgado and then slot it past goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
The second was from a freekick as Moreno, from a distance, sliced his attempt through the five-man wall, much to the chagrin of Amrinder in goal.
In the fourth minute of added time, Brison opened his account from a penalty after the speedy Abdul Rabeeh was fouled by Delgado inside the box.
Odisha’s goal came from virtually the last action on the field. Suhair chested a cross from the right, and left all alone, hammered it past the debutant Goa goalkeeper.

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