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FC Goa demolished an abysmal ATK team 5-1 at home at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa to jump into fourth position on the ISL table.
Manuel Lanzarote scored a quick double while their leading scorer, Coro, also got on the score-sheet. It was a walk in the park for Goa over the two-time champions who continued their miserable run of form this season.
Here are the main talking points from the game:
#1 A kit for a cause
Goa did not take to the field in their usual first-choice all-blue kit. Instead, the Gaurs sported a special jersey highlighting the name of the Forca Goa Foundation which provides grassroots training to children and uses the sport as a tool for the development of these kids across the state of Goa.
Co-owner and captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli, was in attendance for the game, to show his support for the project and also launch the initiative. This being the last home game of the league phase for the team, it was decided that Goa would don this special jersey for this match.
#3 Game over inside 25 minutes
You often hear the saying, 'Football is a game of 90 minutes'. Clearly ATK didn't get that memo tonight as this encounter was over as a contest after 22 minutes. Goa scored three times in 11 minutes in the first half to essentially seal this game. Defender Sergio Juste scored the opener from a corner to kick-start proceedings before Manuel Lanzarote scored a brace to put his team out of sight.
Lanzarote's first came after ATK keeper Soram Porei parried away Mandar Rao Desai's effort, but the rebound fell to Lanzarote who netted the ball. His second was an exquisitely taken goal. After receiving a superb ball from Pronay Halder, Lanzarote got into the box and unleashed a left-footed effort which found the back of the net. After 21 minutes, this was pretty much a training ground exercise.
Goa have scored 9 goals and conceded just once in their last two games, just about the perfect outcome for them.
#3 ATK's abject performance
There were 22 players out on the pitch, but only one set resembled a team.
While Goa can be credited for that impressive offensive burst that saw them blow the game wide open, ATK certainly made it very easy for them. There were three teams already eliminated before the final week of the league phase and ATK look the worst of the lot.
It wouldn't have mattered even if ATK had 10 goalkeepers because their defence was seemingly non-existent. That was the reason why the Delhi Dynamos were able to come back from 1-3 down to win 4-3 against ATK. Once again today, getting past the ATK defence was like walking through a wall of cotton.
Yes, ATK have had to deal with several injuries, but effort is something that cannot be substituted and they have been severely lacking in that department. Some of their players were just walking around at times, barely making an effort. Going forward too they were not the least bit synchronized.
Abject is the only way you can use to describe them this season.
Teddy Sheringham was sacked because results weren't impressive. Interim coach Ashley Westwood hasn't been able to do any better, with one point from seven games. This squad clearly isn't good enough.
#4 It's raining goals all of a sudden in ISL
5-1 last night to the Delhi Dynamos against Mumbai City and 5-1 again to FC Goa tonight against ATK. Truth is, it could have been seven or eight easily.
After Goa's first-half blitz, Coro scored from a direct free-kick in the 63rd minute, his 16th goal of the season. And Mark Sifneos, who came on as a substitute, scored his first goal for Goa in the 90th minute.
Manuel Lanzarote had a chance to seal a hat-trick off the final kick of the game, but couldn't. After an emphatic 4-0 win away at FC Pune City in their last encounter, this was another massive win for the Gaurs at home. It certainly does their goal difference a world of good, not that it matters now. But for anyone tuning in, this final week of the league phase of season four has given us 12 goals in two games thus far. That's entertainment from the top drawer.
#5 Straight shootout between Jamshedpur and Goa for the last playoffs spot
With Mumbai City losing yesterday, Chennaiyin FC's place in the semis was confirmed. Goa's victory tonight dumped the Kerala Blasters and Mumbai out of the competition which means their clash versus Jamshedpur FC on Sunday will decide who will take the final playoff spot. Today's win means Goa now sit fourth, a point ahead of Jamshedpur.
It was already expected to be a crunch fixture with the race expected to go down to the last day, but the match has attained even more significance now that all the other contenders have been ruled out.
That match promises to be a tantalizing one. Goa just need a point, but we know that Sergio Lobera does not operate that way; they will go for the win. Jamshedpur on the other hand, need to press hard for three points, and that will certainly open up opportunities for Goa to pick them off on the counter. Make sure you tune into this one on Sunday!
