FC Goa began the New Year in spectacular fashion, defeating Odisha FC 4-2 in an exhilarating clash at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday. The victory not only extended the Gaurs’ unbeaten run to eight matches in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season but also propelled them back to
third place in the standings with 25 points from 13 matches.
The game was a high-octane encounter from the very first whistle, with both sides eager to assert dominance. Odisha FC, led by former FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera and featuring ex-Gaurs Ahmed Jahouh, Mourtada Fall and Amey Ranawade among others, looked to make a strong statement at home.
It was the Men in Orange, however, who seized the day, making a difference with their clinical edge and relentless attacking.
The match began with Odisha’s Jerry Mawihmingthanga attempting to strike early
in the 2nd minute, but his effort went wide. FC Goa responded swiftly, creating their own chance in the 5th minute when Iker Guarrotxena’s header was blocked after a well-placed free-kick from Borja Herrera.
The deadlock was broken in the 8th minute when a defensive misstep by the hosts handed the ball to Manolo Marquez’s boys. Iker’s deflected attempt fell to Brison Fernandes, who controlled it brilliantly with his chest before unleashing a stunning volley past goalkeeper Amrinder Singh to give the visitors the lead.
Odisha FC then managed to equalise in the 29th minute via a contentious penalty awarded after Jerry Lalrinzuala’s challenge in the box. Ahmed Jahouh calmly converted the spot-kick, hitting the high centre of the goal to level the scores.
Just when it seemed the teams would head into halftime on even terms, the Gaurs struck again. A lightning-fast counter-attack in stoppage time saw Borja Herrera find Iker, whose deflected shot fell perfectly for Udanta Singh. The winger made no mistake, slotting his effort into the bottom right corner to restore his team’s lead.
Following the change of ends, FC Goa came out of the tunnel with renewed vigour, and it didn’t take long for Brison to light up the Kalinga Stadium again.
In the 53rd minute, a miscleared ball found its way to Sandesh Jhingan, who set up the Goan youngster. He then unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, finding the top right corner to make it 3-1.
The Gaurs extended their lead further in the 56th minute, albeit fortuitously, when Ranawade inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while trying to intercept a cross aimed at Brison. Despite Odisha’s attempts to claw back into the game, the visitors’ defence held firm, with goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari making crucial saves, including denying a powerful free-kick from Ahmed Jahouh in the 77th minute.
Odisha managed to reduce the deficit in the 88th minute when Mawihmingthanga’s header found the bottom left corner, but it was too little, too late. Substitute Mohammad Yasir, making his 100th ISL appearance, nearly added a fifth for FC Goa in injury time, but his free-kick narrowly missed the target.
Following this result, FC Goa now boast an impressive record of seven wins, four draws, and just two losses so far this league season. They will now return home for their next assignment, which is to take on Hyderabad FC next Wednesday.
