FC Goa loses to Real Murcia in pre-season

The Indian Super League club went down 2-1, conceding two goals after taking a lead via a beautiful free-kick.

FC Goa’s Ahmed Jahouh in action during the pre-season game on Monday.

FC Goa was defeated 2-1 by Spanish second-division team Real Murcia CF’s first-team in the Indian Super League side’s second pre-season game at the La Manga Club in Spain on Monday. Goa’s lead, taken via a free-kick from Manuel Lanzarote, was eclipsed by two goals either side of half-time that got the Spanish side the win.

Read: Goa goes down to Cartagena in first pre-season friendly

Goa started brightly; after a sprightly attack early on, Lanzarote curled a beautiful free-kick. Najib equalised for the home side going into half-time.

Goa coach Sergio Lobera made a number of changes in the second half to test the bench strength. The team conceded a soft goal early in this period to be behind its opponent. Goa pressed forward in an attempt to equalise, but instead, it led to counter-attacking moves by Murcia. Eventually, however, no more goals could be scored by either side.

Goa plays Real Murcia’s B team in the next pre-season game, on October 19. The La Manga Club will continue to host Goa for the remainder of the pre-season.