Mumbai blues for FC Goa at home

FC Goa failed to break the home-win jinx in this season of the Indian Super League as they went down to neighbouring rivals Mumbai City FC 2-1 on Saturday at the Fatorda stadium, which saw a better attendance compared to the last two games.

While FC Goa looked the better side in the first half, forcing four corners, it was Mumbai City FC that drew first blood in the 21st minute when Greek player Nikolaos Karelis headed the ball perfectly into the net from a free kick taken from outside the D area by Yoell Van Nieff.

Bolstered by support from the home crowd, FC Goa tried desperately for the equaliser and in the 27th minute Armando Sadiku had just the goalkeeper to from close range to make it 1-1, but his shot went wide.

Again, in the 37th minute, Goa came close to scoring, but in the 40th minute, Mumbai's Yoell Van Neiff saw Laximikanth Kattimani off the mark in the net and beat him for his team's second goal, much to the dismay of the home team fans who were working hard to cheer their team on.

In both halves, Borja Herrera looked the better player for FC Goa. He made some fine moves in the first half in the rival box but was left frustrated as the Mumbai players allowed him little space to play.

In the second half, FC Goa had maximum ball possession, working hard for a breakthrough, which came when Armando Sadiku was brought down in the 53rd minute. The referee pointed to the penalty and Armando had no difficulty giving his team their first goal in the 54th minute. The scorecard read 2-1 sending the crowd into hysteria.

IT'S MY BALL: Armando Sadiku takes the game to the rival half.

The goal set the ball rolling for FC Goa to go on the offensive and thereafter gave Mumbai no breathing space. With the chants of uzzo, uzzo, uzzo (fire, fire, fire) growing louder, FC Goa players let loose a flurry of attacks in the Mumbai half.

Borja Herrera combined well with Boris Singh Thangjam to make forays in the Mumbai half and in the 58th minute, the former's right footer just missed the net as it went inches above the crossbar. kept on looking for that equaliser, but it was not their day.

The Gaurs’ coach Manolo Marquez made four changes to the starting XI from their previous match against NorthEast United FC, with Jay Gupta, Rowllin Borges, Brison Fernandes, and Carl McHugh finding a place in the first eleven.

The refereeing of the match also fell short when a foul on Borja Herrera just outside the City box went unnoticed and a shirt pull on Sadiku during a corner-kick was also overlooked.

IN FORM: FC Goa's Aakash Sangwan tackles a Mumbai City player.

In the closing minutes, coach Manolo went for an all-out attack by bringing on Dejan Drazic for defender Odei Onaindia. Despite the late surge, the Men in Orange could not break down the Islanders' defence, and Mumbai City FC held on for their first victory of the season, handing the hosts their second loss at home.

Brandon Fernandes, who donned the blue jersey, was not in very good form throughout the game and was substituted in the second half. Mumbai's Yoell Van Neiff was adjudged player of the match.

FC Goa will now look to bounce back when they travel to Chennai to face Chennaiyin FC next Thursday.

Fatorda Stadium saw a healthy attendance on Saturday, compared to the last two home games. Though FC Goa lost, football surely won the day.