Margao Margao: FC Goa (FCG) defeated East Bengal FC (EBFC) 1-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Sunday. With the win, it moved to second place in the points table, which now has 30 points from 16 matches. According to ISL, Bryson Fernandes' sixth goal of this ISL campaign proved enough to seal the win for the home side, with three shots on target, while East Bengal FC had six shots on target.
Lal Chunganunga ensured that East Bengal FC remained aggressive going forward, arranging a sharp delivery for Vishnu Puthiya outside the box, who the latter shot strongly but missed the target to the right in the third minute. Soon after, FC Goa went on the attack, and moving forward to beat the visitors in the box, Odei Onindia attempted a left-footed shot, which was stopped in time.
While FC Goa was constantly creating chances, Hijazi Maher gave away a corner to thwart the Gaurs' aggressive move. However, the set-piece provided the result the Gaurs needed, as Borja Herrera picked up the ball on the right flank and crossed for Bryson Fernandes, who headed the ball into the middle of the net from the center of the box in the 13th minute. Later, Richard Celis tried his luck from distance after receiving the ball from Dimitrios Diamantakos. However, his right-footed effort from the left side was well over the target.
East Bengal FC also did not lag behind in creating chances from outside the box. Jackson Singh made a similar move in the 37th minute, and although the delivery had enough power, the ball narrowly missed the top right corner. Gaur brought on Ayush Dev Chhetri in place of Sahil Tavora in the second half, but the ball went wide in the second half. At the start of the final leg, East Bengal FC dictated their terms. Vishnu played a lovely pass to Richard on the left side of the six-yard box, but his shot, which was headed towards goal, was blocked in the 52nd minute to save FC Goa from embarrassment. Three minutes later, David Lalhlansanga came on to replace Cleiton Silva as East Bengal FC chased with more intensity in their final third.
However, it was Richard who troubled the home team the most, as he became the target for both Nandakumar Sekar and Vishnu. With the game at a fever pitch in the 67th minute, both the Indian stars found him with balls inside the 18-yard box. Provided, and despite attempting a right-footed shot and then heading the ball, his well-directed effort was saved by Hrithik Tiwary.
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