FC Goa became the first team to guarantee themselves a spot in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 semi-finals with a 4-1 win over Hyderabad FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday. Currently at the top of the table with 33 points from 16 matches, the Gaurs will finish in the top four even if they end up losing their remaining two matches in the league stage.

  • Hugo Boumous gave Goa the lead in the 19th minute.
  • Boumous scored a brilliant solo goal in the 50th minute to double Goa’s lead.
  • Marcelo Pereira scored from a free kick in the 64th minute to make the score 2-1, but Ferran Corominas restored Goa’s two-goal advantage four minutes later.
  • Corominas converted a late penalty to make it 4-1 in Goa’s favour.

The first big chance of the match fell Goa’s way in the 7th minute as Ferran Corominas found himself at the end of a Jackichand Singh cross but Laxmikant Kattimani made himself big to deny the Spaniard. Jacki, in particular, continued being a menace down the right-hand side, continuously stretching the Hyderabad backline.

The Gaurs continued to probe and reaped the reward in the 19th minute. The ball fell to Mandar Rao Dessai outside the Hyderabad box following a corner. The Goa skipper’s scuffed shot towards goal was controlled well by Hugo Boumous, who made no mistakes and stabbed it past Kattimani to make it 1-0.

Hyderabad could have restored parity minutes later as Marcelo Pereira found himself free at the far post to meet a Marko Stankovic corner. The Brazilian managed to direct his cushioned volley goalwards but unfortunately, found the woodwork in his way.

Goa, meanwhile, continued creating dangerous chances and came close to doubling their lead around the half hour mark. Lenny Rodrigues intercepted a wayward Adil Khan pass and took a crack at goal. The low shot had Kattimani beat but came out after hitting the post.

The home team could have put a considerable distance between them and their opponents by the time the half time whistle sounded, but it was not to be as the likes of Seriton Fernandes and Jacki missed multiple opportunities to extend Goa’s lead. The first half ended with Goa leading by the solitary goal.

Five minutes after the restart, Boumous scored his and Goa’s second of the night. The Frenchman picked the ball up, drove past a couple of Hyderabad defenders into the box and dispatched his shot into the bottom corner to give Goa the cushion goal.

The two-goal difference, however, lasted just 14 minutes. Marcelo fired in a free kick from outside the box to reduce the deficit back to just a single goal in the 64th minute.

Four minutes later, the home side restored their two-goal advantage. Boumous turned provider this time as he threaded a through ball for Corominas. The Spaniard placed his shot past Kattimani to make the scoreline 3-1.

Goa took complete control of the match following their third goal, denying Hyderabad any substantial possession of the ball. The Gaurs even added to their tally late in the game from a penalty. Kattimani’s rash challenge on Coro prompted the referee to point towards the spot and the Spaniard stepped up to convert the chance to make it 4-1.

Hero of the Match – Hugo Boumous

The Frenchman continued his terrific form this season, scoring a brace and assisting Goa’s third. Boumous also scored a whopping four chances over the course of the match and took home the Hero of the Match award.

AWARDS

Club Award – FC Goa

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match – Ferran Corominas

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Hugo Boumous

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Sahil Panwar

Hero of the Match – Hugo Boumous

Watch the match highlights here:

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FC GoaHyderabad FC Match Report2019-2020Match 74, FC Goa vs Hyderabad FC - 2019