PANAJI
FC Goa thrashed Group A table-toppers Jamshedpur FC 4-0 in their Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2024-25 National Group Stage clash at the Reliance Corporate Park in Mumbai on Tuesday.
In the earlier game, Diamond Harbour FC and NorthEast United FC played out the first goalless draw of the RFDL National Group Stage.
NorthEast United FC came agonizingly close to taking the three points in the game against Diamond Harbour with Huidrom Thoi Singh hitting the woodwork on two occasions. The Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) graduate was a livewire in the Highlanders' attack throughout the game. His closest chance came in the 64th minute when he rattled the crossbar with a flying header following an aerial delivery from the right flank by Aditya Kalloli. The scoreline remained unchanged till the final whistle and the two sides ended up sharing a point each.
In the afternoon, FC Goa put four past early high-flyers Jamshedpur FC to produce a remarkable turnaround in their RFDL National Group Stage campaign. The young Gaurs asserted domination throughout the game and pulled off a crucial result that keeps them well in the race for National Championship qualification. Likson Rebelo opened the scoring for FC Goa in the 13th minute after a piercing through ball from Lalthangliana. The Gaurs never looked back after taking the lead. Just before the first half water break, the Gaurs doubled their lead. Lalthangliana cut in from the left flank and, seeing an opportunity, lashed it into the near post. The Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper couldn't catch it properly and the ball landed up into the back of the net.
FC Goa tripled their lead in the 42nd minute. Skipper Prachit Gaonkar orchestrated the attack from the middle of the park and set up Likson Rebelo who made no mistake in beating the goalkeeper one-on-one to complete his brace. Already in the driver's seat in the game, FC Goa added a finishing touch in the second half to win it 4-0. Vellington Fernandes dribbled through three Jamshedpur FC players and struck with precision to beat the goalkeeper from outside the box.
