ISL PIX: FC Goa steal point against spirited Mohammedan SC

Images from Indian Super League matches played on Saturday.

Armando Sadiku scored off a dramatic header in stoppage time to help FC Goa eke out a 1-1 draw against Indian Super League (ISL) debutants Mohammedan SC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

Sadiku's goal in the dying moments of the match canceled out Alexis Gomez’s penalty, denying the Black Panthers a historic first victory in the league.

FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez made three changes to the side that suffered a narrow loss to Jamshedpur FC last week, with Jay Gupta, Ayush Chhetri, and Borja Herrera coming into the starting XI.

Despite those adjustments, FC Goa found it difficult to break down a well-organised Mohammedan SC defense. Though the Gaurs dominated possession, they struggled to convert their passing control into meaningful chances.

At the other end, the hosts posed a constant threat, creating several excellent opportunities. The Gaurs defence found it tough to contain the hosts, who looked dangerous on multiple occasions -- the likes of Carlos Franca and Alexis Gomez constantly troubling the FC Goa backline.

Mohammedan’s relentless pressure was eventually rewarded in the 66th minute when they were awarded a penalty, which Gomez calmly dispatched to give his team a well-deserved lead.

The goal was Mohammedan’s first-ever in ISL history.

A few minutes later, Franca again played a one-two pass in the penalty area to release Lalremsanga in space. Just when the youngster was about to take the shot, Nim Dorjee came up with a vital interception.

Franca was a livewire on the field with plenty of runs from different channels. Despite the misses and the frustration that comes with it, the 29-year-old forward kept pushing forward.

He moved to the right and had the best opportunity of the first period when he lost his marker with a deft touch and then rifled a thumping effort into the crossbar.

The Men in Orange remained in the contest thanks to a heroic performance from goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani, who pulled off six crucial saves during the match.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, FC Goa pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and their persistence paid off.

In the fourth minute of added time, substitute Aakash Sangwan, who had come on earlier in the half, delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank. Armando Sadiku, surrounded by defenders, rose high and powered home a bullet header from within the six-yard box to snatch a point for the visitors.

Despite being second-best in several metrics, FC Goa's determination shone through as they thus managed to salvage a point in dramatic fashion.
While Mohammedan SC may feel disappointed at missing out on a landmark victory, FC Goa’s late rally, coupled with Sadiku’s last-minute effort and Kattimani’s brilliance in goal, ensured the Gaurs left Kolkata with something to show for their efforts.

Next up for FC Goa is another assignment away from home, when they face East Bengal FC next Friday.

Jamshedpur FC fight back to defeat Mumbai City FC

A brace from Javi Hernandez and a goal by Jordan Murray propelled Jamshedpur FC to their second win in the Indian Super League, defeating Mumbai City FC 3-2 in front of a packed JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, on Saturday.

It was another comeback victory for the Men of Steel -- they had defeated FC Goa in their season opener after conceding an early goal on Tuesday, September 17.

Jamshedpur started strongly, with Murray coming close twice in the first 10 minutes. However, against the run of play, Nikolaos Karelis opened the scoring for Mumbai in the 18th minute, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box that sailed into the top right corner.

Jamshedpur briefly lost momentum, but Albino Gomes produced a series of vital saves to keep the deficit to just one.

The Men of Steel soon found their way back as Imran Khan made several tireless runs on the right flank, shifting the momentum in Jamshedpur’s favour.

His incisive runs led to the equalizer and the ensuing lead. In the 36th minute, Murray headed home an Imran cross to level the score.

Just before halftime Imran won another freekick just outside the box and Javi Hernandez put Jamshedpur ahead with a clever kick. 

The set-piece which was taken by the midfielder from the right flank landed directly into the back of the net after some confusion and misjudgement from the Mumbai City FC defenders and Lachenpa.

In the second half, Jamshedpur continued to press. They could have extended the lead in the 46th minute when Javi Hernandez chipped a ball onto Jordan Murray's path. Murray was free on goal and glanced straight but Valpuia's timely intervention averted the danger for the Islanders.

The very next minute, Stephen Eze could have scored his first goal of the season for the Men of Steel. Imran Khan confused and went past van Nieff to send in a delightful cross into the 18-yard-area. However, Eze's header from the same was flickered away by Lachenpa.

Hernandez added his second goal in the 50th minute, finishing a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner after being set up by substitute Seminlen Doungel.

Doungel outwitted the Islanders' defence and went inside the penalty box to send in a pitch-perfect cross to Hernandez's feet. The Spaniard didn't shy away from trying his luck and saw the ball land inside the framework, leaving a fully stretched Lachenpa devastated on the ground.

Although Mumbai pulled one back in the 77th minute through a long-range strike from Yoell Van Nieff, Jamshedpur maintained control in the dying minutes to seal the win in front of nearly 20,000 ecstatic fans.

The Men of Steel will face Odisha FC at Kalinga Stadium in their next encounter on September 28th.