ISL 2018: Jamshedpur FC regains winning momentum by downing FC Goa 4-1

Jamshedpur FC rode on a brace from Michael Soosairaj and goals from Memo and Sumeet Passi to defeat FC Goa 4-1 in the Indian Super League on Thursday.

Jamshedpur FC players celebrate a goal during their Indian Super League clash against FC Goa on Thursday.

A brace from Michael Soosairaj proved to be the game-changer as Jamshedpur FC humbled FC Goa 4-1 in the Indian Super League clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Thursday.

Soosairaj scored the first two for the host before Emerson Gomes de Moura (Memo) and Sumeet Passi fired two late strikes to secure a convincing win. Mourtada Fall got the only reply for the visitor.

True to its nature, Jamshedpur FC a made a powerful start and found an early break as the visitor took time to settle down in absence of the suspended striker Ferran Corominas. Looking to bring in more dynamism, Jamshedpur FC coach Cesar Ferrando Ferrando made a major by making in five changes to the side that played out a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters in the previous outing. FC Goa retained the same team while making the only change for the suspended Ferran Corominas.

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Jamshedpur FC could have moved up in the fourth minute but for a fine save by the Goa goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz, who flew to his left to clear a Sergio Cidoncha free-kick. The host was also aided by the enthusiasm of the local boy Gaurav Mukhi, who tested the FC Goa defence on three occasions but failed to find the mark.

Jamshedpur FC's Michael Soosairaj in action against FC Goa on Thursday.

 

FC Goa’s central defender Mourtada Fall had to make a number of clearances as Jamshedpur kept pushing for the break. The host earned three corners in a span of two minutes but the it won in 17th minute proved to be decisive. Soosairaj met an assist from Pratik Choudhary and finished it with aplomb.

Not to succumb easily, FC Goa restored parity in the 33rd minute when a long free-kick from Hugo Boumous was chipped onward by Edu Bedia. Mourtada Fall made the most of the assist to finish with a diving header.

FC Goa's Mourtada Fall celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League on Thursday.

Jamshedpur FC looked a reformed side after the break and regained the lead within five minutes of the restart. The goal was a product of another Cidoncha–Soosairaj combination as the latter latched on to an onward pass from the Spaniard and made a darting run to tap the ball ahead of the FC Goa custodian Nawaz. 

The home side made it 3-1 in the 77th minute when Brazilian midfielder Memo unleashed a powerful drive from the top of the box following a corner. Jamshedpur FC sealed the win in the 79th minute when Passi calmly converted Spaniard Carlos Calvo's cross and ensured his side's unbeaten run cotinued.