FC Goa kicked off their Indian Super League (ISL)
2024-25 campaign on Tuesday, but not in favourable fashion as visitors Jamshedpur
FC handed them a shock 2-1 defeat at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
Armando Sadiku’s goal in first-half stoppage time gave the Gaurs the lead, but Javi Siverio’s second-half penalty and Jordan Murray’s late strike ensured the visitors left Goa with all three points.
The match began with FC Goa showing attacking intent, as Dejan Dražić, Boris Singh, and Rowllin Borges tested Jamshedpur goalkeeper Albino Gomes within the first three minutes. The Gaurs dominated the opening exchanges but were unable to break through despite several close attempts.
Goa’s relentless pressure paid off in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. Following a clearance by Stephen Eze, the ball was recycled through Carl McHugh and Rowllin Borges, who found Armando Sadiku at the edge of the box. Sadiku unleashed a powerful shot, which deflected off a Jamshedpur defender and deceived goalkeeper Gomes to find the back of the net, giving the Gaurs the lead going into halftime.
After the break, the Men in Orange continued to push for a second, with Sadiku coming close again in the 48th minute. However, Jamshedpur began to grow into the game and found an equaliser in the 74th minute through Javi Siverio, who converted a penalty after being brought down inside the box.
Both teams had chances to grab a winner, but goalkeepers Laxmikant Kattimani and Albino Gomes held firm, denying superb efforts from Stephen Eze and Armando Sadiku respectively.
But that was before Jordan Murray found the winner for his team in the third minute of added time in the second half. The Australian latched on to a pass from Mobashir Rahman and ran around his markers before unleashing a shot from outside the box that found the back of the net past a diving Kattimani.
With just minutes left on the clock, FC Goa gave it their all in an attempt to find the equaliser, and even came close when Sadiku tested Gomes from distance, but the shot-stopper made a diving save to keep the visitors on top.
Manolo Marquez’s boys will look to put this result behind them and bounce back now, in their next assignment away from home against Mohammedan SC in Kolkata on Friday.
