Super Cup: FC Goa blank JFC in campaign opener

FC Goa's Javier Siverio celebrates the opener against Jamshedpur FC at Fatorda.

SCOREBOX
FC GOA 2 (Javier Siverio 44', Dejan Drazic 65')
JAMSHEDPUR FC 0
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PANAJI
Defending champions FC Goa overcame both the elements and Jamshedpur FC to secure a 2-0 victory in their Super Cup Group B opener at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
Torrential rain fell continuously throughout the 90 minutes, turning the match into a scrappy, hard-fought affair and even delaying the second-half restart due to waterlogging during half-time.
Despite the challenging conditions, FC Goa adapted better to the slippery surface. The breakthrough came in the 44th minute when Javier Siverio rose above the defence to head home a well-placed cross, giving Goa a 1-0 lead just before the interval.
Heavy rain continued during the break, delaying the second half, but once play resumed, Goa remained composed on the soaked turf. In the 65th minute, Dejan Drazic doubled the advantage after David Timor’s header struck the crossbar; Drazic reacted quickly to finish cleverly on the rebound.
From there, Goa managed the game intelligently, keeping possession when possible and defending resolutely whenever Jamshedpur pressed forward.
The downpour affected both teams’ passing and movement. The ball often stalled in puddles, tackles were heavy, and transitions were messy. Goa’s 3-5-2 formation allowed them to maintain defensive solidity and exploit moments of chaos, while Jamshedpur’s 4-3-3 system failed to generate clear opportunities in the wet conditions.
The victory gives FC Goa a confident start to their Super Cup campaign, along with a clean sheet and a boost to goal difference. Jamshedpur FC, meanwhile, must regroup quickly after a frustrating evening dominated as much by the weather as by the opposition.