FATORDA
FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera would have been the most relieved man deep within to see some luck come his team's way in the ISL 4, given that the Gaurs had been denied clear penalties in the past and had a good goal overruled for off-side in a defeat where they had played much more better than they did against Jamshedpur FC. On the other hand, his counterpart Steve Coppell had explained at the pre-match press briefing that one cannot plan for questionable refereeing, and to his horror, the script on Thursday night seemed to be dictated by the match officials rather than by the merit of football played.
Nevertheless, the result at the halfway stage of the season proved FC Goa could scrap and win a football game while Jamshedpur showed their attacking side once again, which will alert their rivals about the threat the Steel City team poses and dispel the notion that Coppell's boys are only good in defending.
The Gaurs are back to the winning ways and in top-four after a run of three fruitless games to the delight of the fans, but the performance against Jamshedpur seemed unconvincing for a team branded as a fluid-attacking unit by every rival coach who have brought their team to Fatorda so far this season. In fact, the home team was put under tremendous pressure by Jamshedpur from the start till halfway into the first half, giving an impression that the visitors were playing at home. Lobera's boys seemed stifled and unable to use the width of the pitch to play with their usual flair.
Although, FC Goa have a nucleus of Edu Bedia, Ahmed Jahouh and Manuel Lanzarote in the midfield to create their moves and control the pace, with their prowess known; the trio seemed to have been limited by the tremendous energy showed by the rivals in nipping the threat in the bud. Lanzarote though came up with the goods when it mattered as he found the target twice, having to retake the penalty in the first-half added time. Blessed with tremendous technical skills, the Spanish attacker was able to bury the ball into the nets, exactly at the same spot without the leading Golden-glove award contender Subrata Paul having a clue. For his second goal that took his tally to seven for the season, Lanzarote displayed world-class skills after Brandon Fernandes had supplied a through ball.
Seriton Fernandes was consistent as always and has been the find of the ISL 4 so far, among the right-back options, if India coach Stephen Constantine wants to have a close look at the 25-year-old Quepem-based player. Defence overall is still a worry for coach Lobera as FC Goa conceded a goal where two players were left unmarked in the box, and anyone could have enjoyed a free header from close range.
Nevertheless, as long as FC Goa score more than they concede, not all will be disappointed. The match though had its crazy moments -- bad temper and lack of respect towards the referee -- blotting what could have been a better contest if players had focussed entirely on their job.
