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FC Goa were in some form in this year’s Indian Super League. They were unbeaten and scored a staggering 14 goals in four games. But all statistics were blown away by Jamshedpur. The Men of Steel pumped four goals past The Gaurs, who will need some time to digest this heart-breaking defeat.
Jamshedpur, who were held in their last four matches, came out with a purpose against Goa. In their previous three matches, Jamshedpur had taken the lead early. But every time they conceded late in the game to drop points. The same thing repeated against Goa too.
Michael Soosairaj gave the home team the lead in 17th minute through a corner. Pratik’s shot was blocked and the ball fell to Soosairaj, who duly converted. Goa equalised about 15 minutes later through a superb header by Mourtada Fall.
It was a stalemate at the half-time whistle and again a point-drop was looming at the corner. But certainly, Jamshedpur’s coach Cesar Ferrando had different plans in his mind this time.
Soosairaj helped his team to take the lead just five minutes after the break. Thereafter, it was a rain of attacks in Goa’s half. Memo scored with a screamer from outside the box and Carlos Calvo’s pass would see Sumeet Passi finding the back of the net.
Tim Cahill came on as a substitute ten minutes before the end and even scored but the goal was disallowed as Sumeet Passi was caught offside before making the pass to the Australian.
Let us look at the five points of the game:
#5 Finally a joy for home fans at the Furnace
Jamshedpur have already played two matches at JRD Tata Complex but couldn’t win a single one. Moreover, the way they squandered the lead was shocking, to say the least. They have potential players in their side who can turn the match easily. Still, something was needed to form the whole team to earn the trust from the fans.
Despite results not going in their favour, the Jamshedpur crowd didn’t sit back at home. They came to the stadium – which they call the Furnace – to cheer for their team with dhols and drums. Finally, the players did enough to put a smile back on their fans' faces.
Jamshedpur, which has a deep connection to football because of the famous Tata Football Academy, will now hope their team maintain supremacy in the future games.
#4 Nightmare for Goa defenders
Goa have some beautiful attackers on their side, who can get you a handful of goals. But their defenders were not tested until this match. Apart from a quality NorthEast United side, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, all their opponents are struggling in this edition. They didn’t have the firepower to test Goa's defence.
But Jamshedpur certainly have it. This side is so different and a better team than last time around. With the likes of Sergio Cidoncha, Memo, Mario Arques and Soosairaj, they can break any defence. So it was a tough test for Goa to keep Jamshedpur away and they failed miserably.
Goa opened up too many spaces against a side that likes to count on every opportunity. During the first goal, no one marked Soosairaj on the second post. On every counter-attack, it looked like Jamshedpur would score easily.
Mourtada Fall tried his best with some blocks and interceptions but failed to maintain the same temperament throughout the match. Goa captain Mandar Rao Dessai along with Seriton and Chinglesana were at their worst, to say the least.
#3 Coro was badly missed
You always like to see the man who scores frequently play for your team. That is the impact Ferran Corominas has in this Goan team. The other players may be relieved by the fact that even if they make a mistake, Coro would score.
On a night when their main player was suspended, Goa looked toothless. This Goa side have the ability to score with half-chances. They have talented players like Edu Bedia, Hugo Boumous or Jackichand Singh. But without Coro, Goa are the same team as Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bedia and Boumous tried to penetrate Jamshedpur's defence with their individual skills. Boumous’ shot hit the post and Bedia came close to scoring in the second half. But Jackichand, who has two goals to his name, failed to impress in this crucial match.
In Coro’s absence, Sergio Lobera started with Miguel ‘Palanca’ Fernandes as the striker. You would laugh off seeing his involvement in the game. Being a striker, he didn’t take a single shot in the whole match. Just one cross in 95 minutes!
Lobera should’ve given Manvir Singh more chances to prove his mettle rather than the 10 minutes that he got. But now, Lobera should find another potent striker in his team apart from Coro.
#2 On his first start, Mukhi mesmerises
There was a curious banner straight through the centre-line in the gallery. It was written “Jamshedpur FC – Gourav Mukhi Fans”. Seldom you would see a banner in the gallery bearing the name of a youngster! But that is Gourav Mukhi for you.
Being a local boy, there were numerous supporters who wanted to see Mukhi in every match. But when you have World Cupper Tim Cahill and India international Sumeet Passi, the chances of seeing him play would be less. But for a change, Ferrando included Mukhi in the starting line-up against Goa.
Mukhi had the chance to make a dream debut. He could’ve scored as early as in the 3rd minute. But his shot from a tight angle was punched away by Goa custodian Mohammad Nazwaz. Seven minutes later, he once again dazzled with his skills. The striker fooled Seriton near the byline and slapped it across the face of the goal. The ball missed the target by a whisker.
He was there on the field for nearly an hour and there was no prize for guessing who the Furnace cheered for. Mukhi was embroiled recently in a controversy regarding his age. But he pushed all the hullabaloo aside and performer his duty brilliantly on the field.
We may not be surprised if we see Mukhi again in the starting line-up against Delhi Dynamos on Sunday.
#1 Soosairaj should play for national team now
Whenever Jamshedpur play, there would certainly be a separate paragraph that is pre-occupied by Soosairaj, such is the development process for the Chennai-born. He is getting better every other day. Along with the numerous passes and crosses, he can now finish too.
He was left unmarked during the first goal and he completely used that opportunity. But his second goal was an outcome of sheer brilliance. A superb one-two with Cido saw Soosairaj running towards the opponent’s box. Cido’s pass was a bit deflected by Seriton, but Soosairaj had no problem in speeding past the Goan defender and he chipped the ball over an onrushing Nawaz for a scintillating goal.
As the Indian football team will be playing two friendlies in the next international break, coach Stephen Constantine should pick this youngster in his team. Soosairaj recently said playing for India is his biggest dream and he will only impress if given an opportunity.
