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Jamshedpur FC went level on points with ATK in the ISL 2019-20 points table after they picked up a narrow 1-0 win over FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao. The away side took the lead in the 17th minute when Sergio Castel connected Farukh Chaudhary's bobbing cross across the face of the goal. Neither side could force another goal as the scoreline remained the same.
FC Goa's head coach Sergio Lobera made two changes to the side that beat Mumbai City FC 4-2 before the international break. Ferran Corominas made way for Indian international Manvir Singh upfront owing to an injury whereas Hugo Boumous had to sit out of the contest so as to serve his suspension. Edu Bedia, who has recovered fully from his injury, made his first start of the ISL 2019-20 season for FC Goa.
Jamshedpur FC, on the other hand, made four changes to the side that lost 1-3 to ATK. Young guns Narender Gehlot and Jitendra Singh made their first appearance of the season as Isac Vanmalsawma and Mobashir Rahman got relegated to the bench. Keegan Pereira didn't feature in the matchday squad as CK Vineeth made his first start for Jamshedpur FC. Piti's injury meant Noe Acosta returned to the starting XI.
#5 Jamshedpur FC start the game with three men in the back
Jamshedpur FC's head coach Antonio Iriondo spent the entire pre-season trying to perfect his team playing in a back-three position. But, with Narender and Jitendra returning to team after national duty with India's U-19 team, they became the third side to play with a back-three after ATK and Hyderabad FC.
Jamshedpur FC started the game in a 3-4-3 formation with Tiri playing in the centre and Narender Gehlot and Memo in his right and left side respectively. Robin Gurung and Noe Acosta played as the wide midfielders with Jitendra Singh and Aitor Monroy completing the midfield. Sergio Castel played as a central striker with Farukh Chaudhary and CK Vineeth in his right and left respectively.
In the second half, Robin Gurung slotted into the back three on the right side and Narender Gehlot played as a left wide midfielder. Noe Acosta moved to the centre of the midfield with Jitendra Singh covering the right midfield area. Sumeet Passi replaced Farukh Chaudhary at half-time and moved centrally up front.
FC Goa, on the other hand, fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena played in the heart of the defense with Seriton Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai flanking the right and left side. Lenny Rodrigues and Ahmed Jahouh were deployed as the double pivot with Brandon Fernandes and Jackichand Singh galloping down the wings. Edu Bedia played in the hole drifting a little on the wings and Manvir Singh was the lone man upfront.
#4 Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa target each other's left-back
Mandar Rao Dessai was targetted in India's game against Afghanistan as the first half saw the SAFF nation siphon most of their attack down their right-wing. Jamshedpur FC head coach Antonio Iriondo seems to have taken a leaf out of that book and divert most of their attacks through that flank.
It ultimately paid dividends as Mandar failed to track back after he went upfront. Farukh Choudhary beat him and lobbed a cross in the centre for Sergio Castel to slam the ball home. That solitary goal proved to be the difference for both the sides.
From FC Goa's attacking point of view, they too diverted most of their attacks targeting Narender Gehlot who had a torrid ISL debut. Jackichand Singh was a menace down the right-wing. His 10 crosses, 2 shots on target, and 3 chances created speaks volume of the influence he had in the game.
#3 Cards shown aplenty in the game
A lot of referees in the subcontinent are lenient when it comes to handing out cards or spotting infringement. But, referee R Venkatesh is all business and takes no prisoners.
Prior to the game, he had shown 88 yellow cards and 2 red cards in 19 matches he had officiated over the span of two seasons of ISL. He dished out a total of seven yellow cards in the game which saw Ahmed Jahouh picking up a double and being sent off in the 72nd minute of the game.
The Moroccan is known for committing tactical fouls to stop the opposition from counter-attacking and did so in the fifth minute of the game when he hacked Aitor Monroy from behind.
He went into the book but remained reckless and should have seen another yellow in the first half itself. But, the referee decided to warn him continuously and ultimately pulled the trigger just before the last quarter of the game.
Jitendra Singh, Edu Bedia, Seriton Fernandes, Tiri, and Noe Acosta also went into the book deservedly for meaningless fouls.
#2 Jamshedpur FC happy to let FC Goa keep possession
Allowing FC Goa to keep hold of the ball is a very dangerous tactic as the Gaurs are known for their free-flowing brand of football and can annihilate the opposition. But, with their star striker Ferran Corominas missing the game, Jamshedpur FC's head coach Antonio Iriondo didn't flinch an eye.
Pressing FC Goa makes little sense as they are too good with their one-touch passes and can easily tire the opponents. Having a good second line of defense meant they had to go down the wings and ping crosses to make a breakthrough.
FC Goa managed to fly a dozen crosses, exactly twice than that of Jamshedpur, but Tiri and Memo Moura were adept to the challenges. Tiri made 5 clearances, 2 interceptions, and 3 blocks whereas his partner made 10 clearances, 2 interceptions, and 2 blocks.
FC Goa had an overall 63% possession and made 577 passes as compared to Jamshedpur's 294. They even had 13 total shots against Jamshedpur's 8 but couldn't change the scoreline.
#1 FC Goa's suspensions a boon for Kerala Blasters
FC Goa suffered their first loss in ISL 2019-20 campaign but with two back-to-back away encounters ahead of them, their road appears to be jittery. And, compounding Sergio Lobera's problems is the injuries and suspension factor.
Ahmed Jahouh picked up a double yellow tonight and will miss the game against Kerala Blasters. Ferran Corominas picked up a niggle in FC Goa's friendly against Churchill Brothers in the international break and might have to sit out one more game. Seiminlen Doungel and Hugo Boumous have one more to serve in their suspension for their misconduct in the game against NorthEast United FC.
However, all four should be available for selection for their ISL game against Hyderabad FC. All the aforementioned players are regular starters for FC Goa and their absence should give a major boost to Kerala Blasters. Their head coach Eelco Schattorie joked on Twitter that they need luck on their side and asked if anyone knew black magic to help the team.
Well, you couldn't ask for anything more than that, could you?
