FC Goa registered their second victory in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 after a 4-2 win over Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday. First-half goals from Lenny Rodrigues and Ferran Corominas gave Goa the advantage before second-half strikes from Sarthak Golui and Sauvik Chakrabarti made it all square. However, goals from Hugo Boumous and Carlos Pena ensured that the Gaurs claimed maximum points.

After a quiet opening 15 minutes, the home side had a good opportunity to take the lead when the ball fell to Bipin Singh inside the box. The Indian winger managed to get his shot away, but his effort didn’t trouble Mohammad Nawaz in Goa’s goal. Bipin’s attempt seemed to serve as a wakeup call for the Gaurs, who responded by upping the ante and registering the first shot on target of the match after Ahmed Jahouh tried his luck from distance.

Goa began to dominate possession but weren’t creating too many clear-cut chances and had to rely on a set piece to break the deadlock in the 27th minute. Rodrigues was the unlikely scorer, but his finish won’t be one Goa fans will forget anytime soon. The Indian midfielder produced a soft touch to control a corner before volleying the ball on the half-turn to make it 1-0 for the visitors.

Mumbai almost responded immediately, but Diego Carlos could only strike the side-netting after Golui’s header across goal found him in a good position in the box.

The game became increasingly open after the goal with both sides creating chances in quick succession. However, it was the Gaurs who made the most of their opportunities and doubled their lead after Corominas calmly slotted home a Seriton Fernandes cutback from the right to make it 2-0 for the Gaurs going into half-time.

The Islanders halved the deficit just four minutes into the second period. Nawaz parried a shot from Paulo Machado behind the goal and the subsequent corner saw Golui rise highest before producing a towering header to make it 2-1 and get Mumbai back in the contest.

The hosts then scored the equaliser in the 55th minute after Chakrabarti unleashed a rasping drive from range that gave a diving Nawaz no chance of making a save in Goa’s goal.

Mumbai’s joy though was short-lived with Goa getting their nose back in front just before the hour-mark. The goal came from another set piece after Mourtada Fall headed a free-kick across the face of goal for Boumous to nod into the back of the net. The goal also happened to be Boumous final contribution in the match with the Frenchman having to be withdrawn soon after due to an injury he sustained while scoring his goal.

Goa looked to keep more of the ball after regaining the lead as Mumbai were left chasing the game once again. The visitors went on to enjoy a flurry of corners without capitalizing on any of them for the remainder of the match.

Substitute Manvir Singh had a chance to extend Goa’s lead in the 83rd minute having worked his way into a good position inside the box. His shot though was off target and gave Mumbai some hope. However, the Gaurs put the result beyond dispute a minute from full-time when Pena got ahead of his man at the near post to flick an Edu Bedia free-kick into the back of the net and secure maximum points for Sergio Lobera’s men. 

Hero of the Match – Lenny Rodrigues

Lenny Rodrigues scored the opening goal of the match and enjoyed his outing against Mumbai City FC. The all-action midfielder had 63 touches and a passing accuracy of 83%. He made two successful tackles, three clearances, four interceptions and was adjudged the Hero of the Match.

AWARDS

Club Award – FC Goa

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match – Hugo Boumous

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Mourtada Fall

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Sarthak Golui

Hero of the Match – Lenny Rodrigues

Watch the match highlights here:

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FC GoaMumbai City FC 2019-2020Match Report