XtraTime Web Desk: A free-scoring FC Goa side scored five past a wasteful Mumbai City FC to secure a resounding victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.
The first big chance of the match, however, fell to the visiting side when Mumbai captain Paulo Machado set up Subhasish Bose with a delicious cross in the 4th minute, but the defender failed to convert from ten yards out. The Mumbai defender was made to rue his miss just minutes later, as the home side earned a penalty after Sauvik Chakrabarti brought down Ferran Corominas. The striker stepped up himself and scored a cheeky penalty to give the Gaurs the lead.
Despite going behind, Mumbai created a host of half chances primarily from the right-hand side. Issoko dished out a scrumptious cross towards a leaping Lucian Goian on the 15th minute, but the defender’s effort went over the crossbar.
Chances kept flowing at either end and Rafael Bastos tested FC Goa goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz twice, but the Goa custodian stood strong. Goa could have doubled their lead when some unselfish play from Jackichand Singh saw Hugo Boumous one-on-one with the Mumbai goalkeeper, but his first touch let him down. Going into the break, the match was far from over despite their one-goal advantage.
Mumbai scraped up some half chances after the second half began, but it was the home side who got the much-important second goal. Ten minutes into the second half, Seriton Fernandes outran his marker and sent in a pinpoint cross towards Jackichand, who applied the finishing touch.
Just six minutes later, Edu Bedia and Coro exchanged a neat one-two, before Edu unleashed a sensational outside-of-the-foot shot which rocketed into the top-right corner.
To Mumbai’s credit, the away team kept carving out chances despite being 3-0 down. Machado had a great chance to pull one back for the visitors, but the Portuguese couldn’t hit the target. The home side, on the other hand, kept raking up shots on target. Mumbai almost conceded another one in the 80th minute, but the goal-bound Corominas dink was cleared by the retreating Shouvik Ghosh.
Four minutes later, Subhasish Bose allowed Goa substitute Manvir Singh to steal possession from him and left him with a clear sight of goal. The striker, however, unselfishly squared the ball to another substitute Miguel Fernandez, who made no mistake.
Fernandez was at hand to score yet again on the 94th minute after he was found by a perfect pass by Ahmed Jahouh. Mumbai could have notched up a consolation goal right at the end, but Machado’s dipping free-kick was well saved by a flying Nawaz.
The Spaniard pulled the strings in the midfield, scored a world-class goal, and linked up wonderfully with Coro. He was deservedly named the Hero of the Match.