New Delhi: FC Goa wrested back the second spot in the Indian Super League standings with a 2-1 win over 10-man Odisha FC on Thursday. They now have 36 points from 19 matches, two more than Jamshedpur who have a game on hand, 10 points behind runaway leaders Mohun Bagan, who have played 20 games.
Goa went ahead in the 29th minute when in-form Brison Fernandes curled in a left-footed shot from the centre of the box.
Odisha responded with vengeance, winning a penalty after Diego went down in the box, but Hritthik Tiwari dived to his left to deny the Brazilian and preserve the home team’s lead.
Odisha were made to rue that miss as they trailed by to goals after 47 minutes when Brison’s left footer took a big deflection off Puitea’s foot and went in.
Odisha once again responded as they reduced the deficit within seven minutes as Rahul KP drilled in a shot along the ground into the far post after being released by Hugo Boumous from a quick counter attack.
Red card
Odisha FC began to cause trouble to Goa’s backline after Rahul’s goal and threatened to equalise several times, but all their good spell got ruined when veteran central midfielder Ahmed Jahouh, on his 150th appearance in the league, got sent off in the 73rd minute.
The Moroccan had tugged the jersey to be cautioned in the first half before being booked for the secind time when he deliberately handled a forward pass from Iker Guarrotxena.
After being reduced to 10 men, Odisha struggled to create meaningful chances as they Goa enjoyed numerical advantage and held their lines together to notch up their 10th win of the season.
Odisha remained at the seventh spot with 25 points from 19 games.
FC Goa notched up their 10th win of the ISL with a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC to move up to the second spot in the standings. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
