FC Goa secured an important 2-1 win over Mohun Bagan in the 2024-25 season of the Indian Super League (ISL), at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Friday.
A brace from Brison Fernandes either side of Dimitri Petratos’ penalty was enough to seal all three points for the Gaurs, as they end their year in style.
With this win, FC Goa moves to the third spot, just four points below leader Mohun Bagan, who are stationed at the top of the table with 24 points in 12 games, two points above Bengaluru FC.
A crucial win at the Fatorda
Both teams came into this match as possibly the best teams form wise and the match stood up to its hype, with both teams going toe to toe throughout the 90 minutes.
Mohun Bagan had the vast majority of the possession but FC Goa’s clinicality in front of goal, aided by some good fortune, was enough for them to seal all three points.
Brison Fernandes opened the scoring in the 12th minute, cutting inside and shooting across goal, and the ball took a wicked deflection off the sliding MBSG defender and bounces into the net.
Mohun Bagan were excellent at the start of the second half, and deservedly levelled things up thanks to Dimitri’s penalty but that did not stop FC Goa.
It was Brison yet again, but this time of his own individual brilliance put the Gaurs ahead for good in this game, with a brilliant diving header.
FC Goa end 2024 in style, with a crucial win in front of their home fans.
A Manolo Marquez special
Although Manolo is touted as a possession based coach who likes to retain possession and play a typical spanish-style of football, he has embraced pragmatism when needed and tonight was one such occasion.
With just 41% possession, FC Goa were able to get the job done, and more importantly, created almost the same number of chances as Mohun Bagan, who had 59% possession and over 600 touches of the ball across the 90 minutes.
This is FC Goa’s fifth win in seven matches, and they’ve remained unbeaten in the last seven games as well, and after what could be considered a dull start, the Gaurs are up there with the title challenge.
Match statistics. (Photo Credit: JioCinema)
Title race wide open
With almost half the season done, it looked like Mohun Bagan were going to have a very healthy lead at the top and someone had to stop them. Who better than Manolo?
The two in-form teams played out an entertaining match, and Goa have inflicted Mohun Bagan its second defeat of the ongoing ISL campaign, and this win would be cheered for just as much in Bengaluru as well.
The top three are separated by just four points after 12 matches, with Mohun Bagan leading the pack with 24 points, followed closely by Bengaluru FC with 22, and FC Goa with 20.
It will be a fascinating race to the ISL Shield, and if these teams keep up their current form, it could go down to the wire to determine which team will emerge as Shield winners of the ISL.
What did the coaches say?
Jose Molina, head coach of the Mariners, wasn’t too critical with his team despite the defeat, stating “It was a good game, a tough game for both teams. I think we (Mohun Bagan) were unlucky, we could have won or at least drawn, but that is football.”
He also referred to the opening goal, which was a moment of bad fortune for Mohun Bagan as the goal was massively aided by the deflection.
Manolo Marquez, on the other hand, was pleased with his team’s performance.
“We’ve had a very tough game. I feel that we (FC Goa) played a good game. I don’t know if we deserved to win or not it was a very even game, but for the attitude of this group, how they are training, I think we deserve the victory,” he said, speaking after the match.
What next for both teams
FC Goa will go on a long break and won’t be in action until 2025, when they face Odisha FC away at the Kalinga Stadium.
Mohun Bagan will travel back to Kolkata, where they will face Punjab FC on 26th December.
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