Jamshedpur FC outclassed FC Goa 4-1 in the match 25 of Indian Super League (ISL) season five on Thursday in Jamshedpur. A brace from Michael Soosairaj (17′, 50′) and a goal each from Memo (77′) and Sumeet Passi (78′) sealed a memorable win for the Men of Steel. Mourtada Fall scored the consolation goal for FC Goa (33′).
Cesar Ferrando made five changes to the starting lineup that played out a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters. Tim Cahill, Farukh Choudhary, Raju Yumnam, Dhanachandra Singh and Sanjay Balmuchu were replaced by Gaurav Mukhi, Pablo Morgado, Robin Gurung, Bikash Jairu and Pratik Chawdhury. Youngster Gaurav Mukhi made his full debut for the club in front of his home crowd.
FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera brought in Miguel Palanca who replaced suspended Ferran Corominas up front.
Jamshedpur took control of the match right from the beginning and started attacking in numbers. In the fourth minute, Michael Soosairaj was brought down just outside the penalty by Mourtada Fall. Sergio Cidoncha kept his free-kick on target but Mohammad Nawaz did well to stop the ball.
Crowd favourite Gaurav Mukhi came close in the ninth minute as he entered the penalty box from the left side and dribbled past Seriton Fernandes but his final shot went wide.
The home side broke the deadlock in the 17th minute of the match thanks to Michael Soosairaj’s strike. Cidoncha’s corner was headed down by Memo inside the box which fell on the feet of Pratik Choudhary. Pratik fed Soosairaj with the perfect pass and the former Chennai City FC winger slotted the ball home.
After starting the game on a defensive note, FC Goa slowly came out of their shell and started attacking. Their first major chance to score a goal came in the 26th minute. Ahmed Jahouh’s long ball was received by Miguel Palanca who forwarded the ball to Boumous. The midfielder’s shot from outside the box hit the woodwork and went out.
The visitors finally restored parity in the match in the 32nd minute when Mourtada Fall headed the ball into the net from Hugo Boumous’ free-kick.
FC Goa were back to their usual aggressive self after scoring the equaliser. They started to attack more and put pressure on the Jamshedpur defence.
Jamshedpur restored their lead early in the second half thanks to an excellent strike from Michael Soosairaj. The Tami Nadu-born player exchanged a one-two with Sergio Cidoncha in their own half before Cindoncha forwarded a through ball down the left flank.
Soosairaj outpaced Seriton Fernandes and entered the penalty box and chipped the ball over Mohammad Nawaz who came out of his line.
Goa lacked the flair in the attacking third and failed to trouble the Jamshedpur FC defence as the second half progressed. Lobera introduced Brandon Fernandes in place of Lenny Rodriguez to bolster their attack but Brandon failed to make any mark.
Memo increased Jamshedpur’s lead in the 77th minute with a wonder strike from the edge of the penalty box. Carlos Calvo’s corner was initially cleared by the Goan defenders. Tiri went for the goal from the rebound but the ball was blocked yet again but from the second rebound Memo found the back of the net.
Sumeet Passi’s strike just a minute after Memo’s goal was the final nail in FC Goa’s coffin. Carlos Calvo’s low cross reached Passi after Nawaz failed to intercept. Passi took a touch and found the back of the net with a sweet tap in.
Jamshedpur FC registered their biggest win in the history of the club and move to the second position in the league table with 10 points from six matches. Goa move down to the third position.
