Jamshedpur FC stunned high-flyers FC Goa with a commanding display, beating them 4-1 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Thursday.

• Michael Soosairaj bagged a brace for Jamshedpur with goals in the 17^th and 50^th minute
• Mourtada Fall scored Goa’s only goal of the night in the 33^rd minute
• Memo netted a stunning left-footed piledriver in the 77^th minute
• Super-sub Sumeet Passi scored a minute later with a simple tap-in.

The hosts started the game as the better of the two sides with Gourav Mukhi and Soosairaj teasing the Gaurs with their pace and trickery. Soosairaj, who has been in a rich vein of form over the past few matches, opened the scoring for Jamshedpur in the 17^th minute. The youngster ghosted behind the Goa defence to pounce on a loose ball inside the penalty box and fire home from a few yards out.

After going a goal down, Goa finally started imposing themselves on the match and almost got the equaliser 10 minutes later through Hugo Boumous. The Frenchman got on the end of a lay-off from Miguel Fernandez before drilling the ball goalward. His shot seemed destined for the bottom corner but scraped the outside of the post instead.

Five minutes later, Goa got themselves back in the contest after Fall headed in his second goal of the campaign. The big centre-back’s diving header was perfectly directed into the bottom corner, leaving Subrata Paul with no chance in goal.

Before the half-time whistle, Cesar Ferrando’s men were awarded a golden chance to regain the lead. A set-piece from Sergio Cidoncha fell perfectly to the unmarked Memo in the penalty box. However, the midfielder blazed his shot over the bar from six-yards out – a real let-off for Goa.

Nevertheless, Jamshedpur came racing out of the blocks in the second period and took the lead after five minutes courtesy of Soosairaj again. The winger displayed his astonishing pace, racing past the Goa defenders before poking the ball beyond an outrushing Mohammad Nawaz.

Goa went in search of the equaliser but could not create any meaningful chances in the absence of their star man Ferran Corominas. Jamshedpur took full advantage of the situation and extended their lead in the last quarter of the game when Memo scored one of the goals of the season so far. After the Gaurs failed to clear their lines from a corner, the ball fell to the Brazilian, who struck an arrowing shot which flew into the top corner.

Only a minute later, Jamshedpur sealed the tie with their fourth goal of the night. An inch-perfect through ball from Cidoncha released Carlos Calvo down the right wing. The substitute squared the ball to Passi, who had the simple task of tapping home into an unguarded net.

With the match done and dusted, substitute Tim Cahill thought he had scored Jamshedpur’s fifth of the night with a simple finish. However, the linesman disallowed the goal for offside, much to the bemusement of the Australian. That would prove to be the last notable piece of action from a memorable night in Jamshedpur.

HERO OF THE MATCH – MICHAEL SOOSAIRAJ

Jamshedpur’s new recruit Soosairaj was the most lethal attacker for the side. His pace and quick feet down the left flank proved to be a nightmare for the Gaurs. Soosairaj deservedly got his two goals on the night and will only go from strength to strength as the season progresses.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award – Jamshedpur FC

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Mourtada Fall

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Sergio Cidoncha

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Sumeet Passi

Hero of the Match – Michael Soosairaj

WHAT’S NEXT?

With this comprehensive victory, Jamshedpur will be brimming with confidence when they take on Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on November 4. Goa, on the other hand, will play Delhi for their next match on November 8.

Visit our videos section to view the match highlights and the photos section for exclusive images from the match.