Guarrotxena shines as Gaurs secure second place and semi-finals
FATORDA
FC Goa delivered a commanding performance in their final home match of the league stage, defeating Mohammedan SC 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. This victory not only marked their fifth consecutive win but also secured their second-place finish in the Indian Super League standings, guaranteeing them a direct spot in the semi-finals.
From the opening whistle, FC Goa took control of the game, keeping possession, pressing high, and creating chances. They dominated with 56% possession, completed 84% of their passes, and took five shots on target. The team’s attacking intent was evident early on, as Rowllin Borges, Boris Singh, and Iker Guarrotxena all came close to scoring within the first 10 minutes. However, Mohammedan SC’s goalkeeper Padam Chhetri put in a strong performance, keeping his team in the game with some crucial saves.
Despite Mohammedan SC’s defensive resilience, FC Goa’s constant pressure paid off in the 40th minute. Dejan Drazic, who was a standout performer, played a brilliant short corner, received the ball back, and sent in an outside-foot cross into the box. Ayush Chhetri flicked it towards Guarrotxena, who made no mistake in heading the ball into the top corner. The stadium erupted as FC Goa took a well-deserved lead into halftime.
The second half saw FC Goa continuing to push forward while Mohammedan SC struggled to create clear-cut chances. FC Goa’s defense, led by young debutants like goalkeeper Lara Sharma and full-back Sanatomba Singh, held strong against the visitors’ counter-attacks.
In the 86th minute, FC Goa wrapped up the game with their second goal. Borja Herrera’s corner found Guarrotxena at the back post, whose header struck the post. In an unfortunate turn for Mohammedan SC, their goalkeeper Chhetri accidentally deflected the ball into his own net, sealing the 2-0 victory for FC Goa.
This win was not just about securing three points; it was a significant moment in FC Goa’s season. With 48 points from 23 matches, they confirmed their second-place finish and avoided the single-legged eliminator, joining Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semi-finals.
It was also a special night for the club as academy graduate Prachit Gaonkar made history by becoming the first player to progress from FC Goa’s U-13 team to the senior squad, making his ISL debut in this match.
With just one league game remaining against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa will aim to finish their campaign on a high before shifting focus to the semi-finals. Their recent form, five wins in a row which makes them strong contenders for the ISL title.
For now, FC Goa can celebrate a well-earned victory and look forward to their next challenge in the playoffs.
