It was raining goals as the Fatorda stadium as the Islanders won a 7-goal thriller after coming from behind, thanks to an 86-minute winner from Balwant Singh. Brazilian midfielders, Everton Thiago Santos along with Achille Emana were on the scoresheet as well!
The Islanders made 4 changes to their side from the 3-1 defeat to Bengaluru FC. Lucian Goian was the big absentee as Gerson Vieira led the side in his absence. FC Goa, known for their pace in attack, started the game on a high tempo by testing the Mumbai City FC defence in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The home side dominated the game had plenty of possession in the first quarter of the game but neither sides created any big chance until then. In the 28th minute, Balwant Singh had an effort at goal after his volley was on target but it failed to trouble Kattimani as it lacked power.
Ferran Corominas opened the scoring for FC Goa after Mandar Rao’s shot was saved by Amrinder Singh, but the ball went straight to Corominas who put the ball into the back of the net. The goal certainly was a wake-up call for the Islanders they equalized after a couple of minutes through Brazilian midfielder, Everton Santos. Thiago Santos got a shot away in the box it took a wicked deflection off Everton Santos to fly into the back of the net.
Just at the stroke of half-time, a mix up between Sanju Pradhan Amrinder Singh saw FC Goa take the lead for the second time in the game. Mandar Rao didn’t give up as Sanju tried to keep the ball away from him in the box, but he got there before the rushing Amrinder to pass the ball across the face of the goal, Manuel Lanzarote tapped the ball into an empty net. The game got plenty of energy after a very slow start in the first half an hour as the hosts led the Islanders by 2-1 at half-time.
The second half started with a chance to FC Goa with Mandar Rao involved once again, his shot from inside the box was saved by Amrinder’s leg. In the 48th minute, Seriton Fernandes was shown his marching orders for a second yellow after he fouled Everton Santos. 10-men FC Goa didn’t show any signs of stopping, two minutes later Lanzarote forced Amrinder into a world-class save from his curling effort that was aimed for the top corner.
In the 53rd minute, the Islanders won a penalty after Mohamed Ali brought down Everton Santos. Up stepped Achille Emana he calmly slotted the ball to Kattimani’s right as he dived to the other side. The game was at level terms after Emana’s second goal of the campaign. The game heated up as local boy, Sahil Tavora Marcio Rozario were shown yellow cards.
In the 70th minute, Thiago Santos started an attack for the Islanders as he got into the box and passed it to Balwant Singh, whose shot was saved. The rebound fell to Thiago who managed to get his shot away past Kattimani to put the Islanders ahead for the first time in the game. Goal scorer, Lanzarote was shown a yellow card too as he pushed Wadoo the referee wasn’t taking it lightly. Custodian, Amrinder Singh had his name into the book as well as the referee booked him for time wasting.
FC Goa kept pushing in numbers for the equaliser they found it in the 78th minute, Corominas finished off a brilliant move as he chipped the ball over the onrushing Amrinder Singh for his 12th goal of the season. It was a pass from Ahmed Jahouh that opened up the Islanders’ defence. Both sides made changes as Pranjal Bhumij replaced Sanju Pradhan Sergio Juste came on for Manuel Arana.
Hitman, Balwant Singh had the final say in the game as his determination got the winning goal for the Islanders in the 86th minute. Thiago Santos cut inside from the left to shoot but it was saved by Kattimani, the ball fell across the frame of the goal the defender tried to clear the ball but Balwant blocked it scored his 6th goal of the campaign. The celebrations from the team meant it all as all the hard work was paying off.
The game saw 4 yellow cards in the later stage of the game as Brandon Fernandes, Thiago Santos, Mandar Rao Rafa Jorda were booked as the intensity of the game increased in six nervy minutes of added time. The Islanders took advantage of 10-men FC Goa to claim 3 crucial points away from home do the league double over them.
Jamshedpur FC visit the Arena for our next league encounter on 1st February, 2018 the Islanders will be hopeful to carry on the momentum to keep climbing the table.
