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FC Goa play their final game of their AFC Champions League journey against Al Wahda on Thursday at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The Gaurs sit third in Group E with three points from five games, and will be keen on ending their campaign with a victory.

But standing in front of them is an in-form Al Wahda side, and ahead of this group stage finale, let’s see how the two sides compare in this preview.

Al Wahda

The Emiratis are flying high after some terrific performances in their last few games, and look well placed to qualify for the Round of 16, especially if they pick up all three points against Goa on Thursday.

Al Wahda have accumulated 10 points from their five matches thus far, and sit second in Group E, just two points behind Persepolis FC.

The side from the UAE are hoping to advance as one of the three best runners-up in the tournament, but it won’t be easy, especially with skipper Ismail Matar missing due to suspension.

“It’s the last game for this group and even though the players are tired, I’m really looking forward to this match,” said Head Coach Erik ten Cate ahead of the game. “We’ve been playing in this competition with this bubble for three weeks. It’s not easy but we are managing thanks to the people here in India.”

The experienced coach also mentioned that beating FC Goa will be no easy task and that his side is up for the challenge.

“So we want to win but it will not be an easy game tomorrow as we have a couple of players suspended. It will be hard because FC Goa are still in search of their first win and they will do everything to get the three points.”

FC Goa

FC Goa have opened eyes all around the world owing to their defiant displays in their first ever AFC Champions League campaign, but a win in the tournament still eludes the Gaurs.

The Men in Orange were minutes away from sealing a historic win against Al Rayyan last time out, before conceding a late goal that broke Indian hearts. The spirit remains intact however, and a win against Al Wahda will go a long way in cementing Goa as one of the top debutants in the Champions League.

“Our plan is to be competitive and collect the three points tomorrow,” said head coach Juan Ferrando ahead of the game. “It may not be an easy task considering the recovery of our players but we must keep our concentration and perform.”

A win will be enough to seal third spot in a historical debut season, while a draw or defeat may also be enough, depending on the Persepolis-Al Rayyan result.

“Finishing third in the group of the AFC Champions League is not an easy task. As the head coach I’m proud of what my players and coaching staff have done so far,” Coach Ferrando continued.

“In the end the most important is to take the best decisions on the field tactically and hope that it will play in your favour. The key is staying focused and putting our best team forward.”

Juan Ferrando has been praised for his tactics as well as squad handling this season, and believes his players will stand up and be counted once again.

“These players are mentally strong in managing pressure so I think if I’ve substituted them in a previous match, there is no problem in their performance for the next match. I don’t see my players losing confidence. The target in every match and tomorrow is going to be the same.”

A grand finale on the cards

For all FC Goa fans, seeing their team play their final AFC Champions League match will be special, and a win would be just the icing on the cake during a tough period for India as a whole as the country battles a second wave of COVID19.

Goa will give their all against an Al Wahda side motivated by the lure of Round of 16 of the Champions League, which makes for an exciting contest.

FC Goa’s last Champions League game will be played on Thursday, 29 April with kickoff scheduled at 10:30 PM IST.

(FC Goa Media)

 

FC Goa were defeated for the very first time in their maiden AFC Champions League campaign as Iranian powerhouse Persepolis FC inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the Gaurs at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.

Goa took an early lead thanks to a well-placed Edu Bedia header from a free-kick. The joy for Juan Ferrando’s men would be short-lived, though as Persepolis scored twice within the opening half an hour to script their third win on the trot in the tournament.

The Gaurs made a couple of changes to their starting eleven for this game, with Saviour Gama and Adil Khan getting the nod.

In an all-action start to the game, FC Goa came off the blocks the quickest, scoring in the 13th minute as Edu Bedia, who had earlier earned the free-kick, outfoxed the Persepolis defence with a smart run and headed-finish to put the Gaurs in the lead.

A couple of minutes later, it could have been 2-0 to the Gaurs with Edu Bedia and Brandon Fernandes again combining delightfully to open up the opposition defence. Brandon, though, was denied his time under the spotlight as Hamed Lak pulled off an incredible save from close range to keep his side in the game.

The Iranian made Goa pay for not making the most of the opportunity as they hit back to draw level in the 16th minute after James Donachie was deemed to have committed a foul in the penalty box. Mehdi Torabi stepped up to the plate for Persepolis to slot it home for his side.

Playing in their home red, Persepolis turned up the pressure on the Goa defence following their equaliser. That pressure finally bore fruit in the 24th minute of the game as Seyed Jalal Hosseini’s header put the designated home side in front.

The side from Iran threatened with their sharp movement and passes as they nearly doubled their lead in the 39th minute. The in-form Dheeraj Singh would, however, thwart Vahid Amiri’s strike after Persepolis had sieved through the Goan defence one more time.

Dheeraj would again come up trumps for the Gaurs a few minutes later, this time, saving Hossein Kanani’s strike from the spot which was low, hard and straight down the middle.

The second half saw Persepolis create a number of chances yet again, but were thwarted on each occasion thanks to some excellent rear-guard action from the FC Goa defence.

The Gaurs, on their end, were able to conjure up some promising spells where Juan Ferrando’s men entrusted their passing and movement to find spaces as they searched for an equaliser. They, though, had to settle for only one shot on target in the second forty-five as their first loss of the campaign finally became an eventuality.

FC Goa would, though, take much heart from their spirited display before taking on the same opponents in three days time. Juan Ferrando’s men currently stand third in the group after Al Wahda completed a come-from-behind win to defeat Al-Rayyan.

(FC Goa Media)

FC Goa impressed once again as they kept yet another clean sheet against Al Wahda in a 0-0 draw at the Fatorda Stadium.

A more open game than the tournament opener for Juan Ferrando’s men, the Men In Orange brought about a few moments of brilliance on both sides of the field to eke out the result. However, one would be forgiven to think that they deserved more with Brandon Fernandes hitting the upright and Devendra Murgaokar forcing the Al Wahda keeper into a fantastic save.

The Gaurs named an unchanged eleven from the side that started the first game of the tournament against Al Rayyan, hoping that a similar or better result could follow this time around too.

Once the game began, FC Goa threatened straight away, with Ishan Pandita making contact from a header following a cross from the left flank. His effort though wasn’t the precise one he was looking for. The early signs though were surely positive.

Al Wahda grew into the half, mounting their first big threat in the 23rd minute. Fares Juma headed a corner towards goal, but Dheeraj Singh comfortably held on as Goa absorbed the pressure.

Jorge Ortiz fired one from distance five minutes later, but his shot was well over the bar and no trouble for Al Wahda.

The visitors did force a couple of more saves from Dheeraj before the end of the first half, first by Khalil Ibrahim and then Tim Matavz taking aim from just inside the box only to see Dheeraj come out trump on both occasions to keep it even even-steven heading into the break.

In the second period, it was the Men in Orange who came out with more gusto, and had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 54th minute of the match.

The introduction of Devendra Murgaonkar from the bench made all the difference as his good work finally set up a shot for Brandon Fernandes, but the Goan’s fierce effort struck the post instead of nestling into the bottom corner.

It was a huge let-off for Al Wahda, who took the game to the Gaurs soon after, with Omar Khirbin seeing his header from point blank range saved by Dheeraj in the 66th minute.

FC Goa were in no mood to relent, however, as the impressive Devendra once again wreaked havoc inside the Emirati side’s penalty box, nearly making it 1-0 in the 73rd minute. A lovely ball in from Brandon down the right found the former Salgaocar man, but the effort from his outstretched leg was saved well by Al Wahda goalkeeper Mohamed Al Shamsi.

At the other end, Dheeraj’s heroics continued as he first saved a free-kick from opposition captain Ismail Matar in the 78th minute, and then kept out two late efforts in stoppage time.

The young goalkeeper first saved brilliantly from Omar Khirbin in the 90th minute and was helped out by Seriton Fernandes, who blocked the follow-up shot from Lee Myung-joo. Just four minutes later, Dheeraj punched the air in delight as he once again kept out a header from Omar right at the end, following a sloppy giveaway of possession.

In the end, FC Goa managed to hold on for yet another historic result, and can now boast of an unbeaten start to life in the AFC Champions League.

The Gaurs return to action in the Champions League on Tuesday, 20 April as they take on Iranian giants Persepolis at the Fatorda with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 PM.

FC Goa Media

 

New Delhi: Indian Football is all set to move forward together into a new era, with FC Goa having the “special” distinction of being the first club from the country to play in the AFC Champions League Group Stage.

FC Goa and Indian National Team midfielder Brandon Fernandes feels that bringing the AFC Champions League to India is an achievement for the entire nation.

“It’s a huge achievement for the state and the country. It’s more like a national representation rather than a club or state. The entire nation will be watching us as one and so we ought to give it our all,” said Brandon.

India had earlier been granted a direct spot in the AFC Champions League Group Stage and having finished at the top of the Hero ISL table in the 2019-20 season, the Gaurs had qualified for the ACL, creating history in the process.

Owing to the ongoing pandemic situation, the Group E matches of the competition will be played in Goa this time, as the state will play host to teams like Persepolis (Iran), Al-Rayyan (Qatar), and Al-Wahda (UAE), along with FC Goa.

“It’s a very important step for us. It’s not going to be easy. We are not just representing Goa, we are representing the whole country,” said goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who had also represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017.

“Everyone is very excited and we are looking forward to this big event. We will make sure we prepare well and give our best and try to use this opportunity in best way we can.”

Ishan Pandita, who recently made his Blue Tigers debut in the 1-1 draw against Oman in Dubai, UAE, feels that this is an opportunity to make the nation proud.

“It’s obviously a very special feeling. It’s not only Goa that we’re representing but the whole nation. It’s a great opportunity that we have to show Asia and the world that India can play good football. We’re training hard and our preparations are going well. We ready to put in some good performances and hopefully do our 1.3 billion proud,” said Pandita.

Adil Khan of FC Goa arrive during match 101 of the 7th season of the Hero Indian Super League between Bengaluru FC and FC Goa held at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa, India on the 21st February 2021 Photo by Faheem Hussain / Sportzpics for ISL

Goa’s local lad and National Team defender Adil Khan feels that it is a “pride and privilege” for the state to host such prestigious matches in such difficult times.

“It is extremely special that for the first time, India is being represented at the biggest football stage in Asia. It is a historic occasion for India, and massive pride and privilege for Goa to represent the country in the Champions League,” he said.

“We hope all football fans will back us in all our matches as we give our all, not just for Goa, but for India too.”

Midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam, who had captained India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup four years back, mentioned that the magnitude of the occasion is understood by everyone in the camp, as all the players and coaches look to prepare for the matches against the best in Asia.

“It’s a very special moment for Indian Football, and for FC Goa. It’s a proud moment for us to be competing in the AFC Champions League. All the players and staff have gotten together, and we are all really motivated and excited for our first match, and everyone’s working really hard to match up to the best teams from Asia,” said Amarjit.

(AIFF Media)

Margao, Goa: FC Goa has announced that Brandon Fernandes has penned a new three-year contract, which will keep him at the club until June 2024.

Brandon, 26, has been with FC Goa since being selected by the Gaurs in the 2017 ISL Draft with their pick in the 6th round. Since then, Brandon has gone on to become one of the vital cogs in the FC Goa side which has qualified for the ISL playoffs in each of the past four seasons.

The midfielder meanwhile, over the last four seasons has gone on to become an Indian international with all three goals from India during the latest World Cup qualification campaign coming via assists from Brandon. The FC Goa no. 10 also holds the record for the highest number of assists recorded by an Indian in the Hero Indian Super League.

Capable of playing across the midfield, the Indian international played a crucial role in helping the Gaurs win their first-ever trophy in 2019. Brandon scored what turned out to be the eventual winner in the Super Cup that year to help FC Goa to their maiden silverware.

Speaking after putting pen to paper on the new contract, Brandon Fernandes said, “Playing for FC Goa has always been special ever since I arrived here four years back. I feel at home here. Together we have been able to stitch together a lot of successful; chapters over the past few years and I am looking forward to continuing in the same vein in the years to come.

“I am convinced that the best days – both for me and the Club lies ahead of us and I intend to start working towards that. Being a Goan, it gives me great pleasure to continue to wear this shirt and representing my people for many years to come. I will be giving everything I have to help deliver the success that our fans deserve.

FC Goa’s Director of Football, Ravi Puskur also expressed his delight upon the deal. He said, “We’re delighted that Brandon has agreed to commit his long-term future to the club. He has grown leaps and bounds since he first arrived here in 2017 to turn into one of the most consistent creative forces in the country. He’s been a very important part of our success over the past 4 years and has become ingrained into the fabric of the club. We are confident that his best years are yet to come and we’re pleased that he’s chosen to spend those in Goa.”

(FCG Media)

New Delhi: India suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat at the hands of Belarus at the AGMK Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

While both the sides played out an even first half, Belarus took the lead through a Shuppo Nastassia penalty, before Pilipenka Hanna doubled their lead. Meanwhile, India’s Sangita Basfore pulled one back deep into added time.

After a good performance against Uzbekistan, India started off with a high tempo in the first half, and almost took the lead within three minutes, when Soumya Guguloth’s venomous shot from outside the box struck the Belarus cross-bar. Striker Pyari Xaxa did manage to get her head onto the rebound, but her effort looped over the goal and went out of play.

Anju Tamang, looked lively, playing at the right fullback position, often making forays into the opposition area. Not only did she help in attack, but Anju also tracked back to make a few crucial blocks and affect a few turnovers in possession.

Around the quarter hour mark, Manisha dribbled past a couple of defenders and made her way into the opposition area, before going down under some attention by the Belarus defenders. However, the referee waved play on.

Minutes later, Belarus had a great opportunity to score, when midfielder Pilipenka Hanna was played through on goal. She slipped her shot past the keeper, but India’s defender Ranjana Chanu recovered well in time to clear the danger.

India head coach Maymol Rocky gave a run-in to experienced defender Ashalata Devi towards the end of the first half, bringing off Soumya in her place, as the two sides headed into the dressing rooms level on the scoreboard.

Belarus grabbed the initiative after the changeover, as they managed to work the ball into the Indian net, but the referee soon blew his whistle, signalling that one of their attackers was in an offside position during the buildup.

However, India soon started to settle into the second half as well. A minute past the hour mark, Manisha Kalyan soared up the left flank to enter the opposition area and send in a low cross. However, it evaded striker Pyari Xaxa, who tried in vain to get a vital touch on the ball.

Minutes later, though, Belarus were awarded a penalty after one of their attackers was adjudged to have been fouled inside the Indian box. Shuppo Nastassia slotted the ball to the left of Aditi Chauhan, who had dived in the correct direction, but the ball was just beyond her reach.

Belarus doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, when Pilipenka Hanna was played through into the Indian penalty box, and she squeezed her shot between the keeper and the near post; as the ball hit the upright and bundled in.

India looked determined to get back in the game after that, and Indumathi instantly found Manisha on the left with a piercing through ball. The latter pulled the trigger after sprinting into the Belarus box, but her effort was saved.

With around five minutes of regulation time left on the clock, India won a free-kick close to the Belarus area. Sangita Basfore stood over the dead ball, and put her laces through it, but her effort sailed inches wide.

Basfore got one back late in added time, as she pulled the trigger from around 30 yards out. The Belarus keeper managed to get a glove onto that, but Sangita’s shot packed too much of a punch, as the ball deflected off the keeper’s gloves and into the net. However, there was not much time left for a comeback, as the referee soon brought the game to an end.

(AIFF Media)

Goa: Bengaluru FC, on Thursday, announced their 29-man squad for the qualifiers of the 2021 AFC Cup, which begin with a Preliminary Stage Two clash against Nepalese side Tribhuvan Army FC, on April 14. As many as five Reserve team players have graduated, as Head Coach Marco Pezzaiuoli prepares for his first game in charge of the Blues.

The graduates from the club’s reserve side include goalkeeper Sharon Padattil, midfielders Damaitphang Lyngdoh and Muhammad Inayath, as well as strikers Akashdeep Singh and Sivasakthi Narayanan, who finished as top scorer in the Blues’ BDFA Super Division League campaign.

Gabonese defender Yrondu Musavu-King is the newest addition to the Blues’ foreign contingent, as he joins Juanan Gonzalez, Cleiton Silva and Erik Paartalu in the squad for the qualifying campaign. Skipper Sunil Chhetri will lead the side into a seventh season of continental football, with the 36-year-old having joined the side in Goa where preparations for the campaign are well underway.

The Blues’ Preliminary Stage Two clash against Tribhuvan Army FC kicks off at the GMC Stadium, in Bambolim, on April 14 and will be held behind closed doors.

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Lara Sharma, Sharon Padattil

Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Pratik Chaudhari, Juan Gonzalez, Wungngayam Muirang, Ajith Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan, Joe Zoherliana, Parag Shrivas, Yrondu Musavu-King, Biswa Darjee

Midfielders: Erik Paartalu, Suresh Wangjam, Harmanjot Khabra, Namgyal Bhutia, Emanuel Lalchhanchuaha, Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Muhammad Inayath

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva, Leon Augustine, Naorem Roshan Singh, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Akashdeep Singh

Head Coach: Marco Pezzaiuoli

Assistant Coach: Naushad Moosa

 

New Delhi: India lost by the faintest of margins in their first friendly in Uzbekistan, as the hosts grabbed victory with a late goal at the AGMK Stadium, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Monday (April 5, 2021).

While both sides created ample scoring opportunities, Uzbekistan found the back of the net with a late free-kick by Maftuna Shoyimova on the 87th minute, to win by a narrow margin.

As the Uzbeks started off on a higher tempo in near-freezing conditions, that are mostly unfamiliar to the away side, India keeper Aditi Chauhan was called into action early on, as she did well to get down and grab a low cross from point-blank range.

India looked to hit the hosts on the counter in the early exchanges, with defender Ranjana Chanu combining with midfielder Sangita Basfore to create an opportunity down the left, but the danger was eventually averted by the Uzbek defence.

The Indian defence staved off the early Uzbek attacks, inspired by Sweety Devi, who did well to deal with the continuous aerial threat by the hosts.

India soon began to warm-up to the game, as Manisha found some space in the Uzbekistan half in the 24th minute, and unleashed a ferocious left-footer that whizzed over the crossbar.

A few minutes later, Soumya Guguloth made her way into some space in the Uzbekistan box from the right. She turned and tried to curl it with her left foot, but it was blocked.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Uzbekistan launched another attack that saw Nilufar Kudratova hit the crossbar, before the ball was cleared from inside a melee of legs, as the referee soon brought an end to proceedings.

Daya Devi, who replaced Pyari Xaxa in the first half, looked lively in the opening exchanges of the second, as she pressed high up on the pitch, to force an error from the Uzbekistan defence, with the help of Soumya Guguloth. The former looked to play it into the path of an onrushing Dangmei Grace, but it was intercepted.

Around 10 minutes into the second half, Manisha combined well with Ranjana Chanu to work the ball up the pitch down the left flank. The young attacker found a channel to Daya, who turned her marker inside the box and crossed it in. However, the ball evaded all the attackers and defenders, and the danger was soon averted.

Uzbekistan had a clear chance to take the lead when midfielder Maftuna Shoyimova nodded a corner towards goal, but Anju Tamang cleared it off the line.

On the 65th minute, India broke on the counter as Sangita Basfore won the ball in India’s defensive third. Under pressure, she managed to poke it onto the path of Dangmei Grace, who carried it into the attacking half, and curled an aerial through ball into the path of Manisha, who slipped through between two defenders. The attacker queued up her shot, but it lacked power and the opposition keeper managed to gather the ball.

Soon after, a cross by Anju Tamang was not cleared properly, as it fell kindly to Soumya Guguloth, who instantly had a try at goal from inside the six-yard box. However, it was cleared off the line.

The hosts found the back of the net with just three minutes of regulation time left on the clock, when Maftuna Shoyimova slotted a free-kick from around 25 yards out, into the top corner.

Thus, India’s first friendly match in Uzbekistan this year, ended in a narrow defeat to the hosts.

(AIFF Media)

Dubai, UAE: Life for Sandesh Jhingan came to a full circle on Thursday (March 25, 2021) when he captained India in the International Friendly against Oman. As the 27-year-old walked out leading the country, six debutants followed him. Post the final whistle, the number of debutants went up from six to 10 – with another four coming on from the bench during the course of the match.

Sandesh’s first match in International Football in 2015 (against Nepal in the play-offs for the Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018) had seen seven debutants, including himself – which was kind of a record at that time.

The morning after, at the breakfast table, Sandesh ponders, “For any nation to grow in any aspect – be it science, sports, football or wherever you need to have a continuous supply of talent. Youth development will ensure that you can get a new Sandesh Jinghan, a Sunil Chhetri, a Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and all others every year, no matter what. The regular supply of talent every single year will ensure that the National Team improves,” he averred.

“Be it Belgium or Germany or England or anyone who is massive on the world football map, everyone follows the same philosophy. It is very good to see how well the boys are trained, and I am positive about the future,” he expresses.

The flow of youth, courtesy of the YDP set-up has, in a way, revolutionised Indian Football in the last few years. Be it the AIFF Academy set-up, the youth national teams or the Indian Arrows, or all academies, the youth of today is better coached, much comfortable on the ball, and so much confident as an individual.

“One thing I can say for this batch is that I need to use the least words for them because they are already so motivated and mentally pumped up for the game. Of course, you need to be calm and intelligent. But you need to have some aggression to win your duels. The boys have it, they have the aggressiveness. And they also have a calmness when they get the ball. My job as a captain was easier,” he expressed.

The players who know me, the people who know me, who have been with me in the dressing room, know that I am a different person off the field. On the field, you need to be extremely aggressive. That’s the way I am. You always need to charge yourself up for the match.

Referring to the match against Oman, Sandesh smiled, mentioning “it seems like yesterday” that he had made his International debut.

“Only the other day, I was calling my mother and telling her that I finally made my International debut. Now I realise it was in 2015. Time flies,” he smiled. “I was kind of seeing myself in the boys during the match. I feel the future is extremely bright with the kind of mindset and talent the new boys possess.”

“It always makes you get up from the bed with a smile every morning when you have something to look forward to and this batch has it. I believe there is a lot to improve, and we can improve. I am just happy being here with this batch.”

(AIFF Media)

Kalyani, West Bengal: Mohammedan Sporting began their Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 campaign with a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Garhwal FC as full-back Munmun Lugun scored a long-range goal in the penultimate (90+3′) minute to win the match for his team at the Kalyani Stadium on Thursday (October 8, 2020).

The match seemed to be veering to a goalless draw, with Mohammedan’s Willis Plaza missing a penalty in the second half. However, Munmun came to the rescue in the dying moments to snatch a dramatic victory and begin his side’s campaign with three points.

The first half began with half-chances for either side, with Garhwal FC earning a free-kick in a dangerous position in the very first minute. However, Muhammed Shafeer’s delivery was collected by Mohammedan’s captain and custodian Priyant Singh. In the fifth minute, Willis Plaza was played in on goal with a wonderful long pass but his first-time shot from a tight angle went wide of the target.

It was the Kolkata-based side that dominated possession for most parts of the first half, with wingers Himanshu Jangra and Vanlalbiaa Chhangte looking dangerous down the flanks. Both entered the penalty area on a number of occasions but could not help their team open the scoring as the Garhwal FC defence was up to the task.

The Black Panthers dominated possession throughout the first 45 minutes but were unable to find the breakthrough, with Garhwal creating chances on the counter attack and goalkeeper Sayak Barai looking confident in his handling.

Interestingly, it was the Delhi-based team that almost took the lead in the 21st minute, creating the best chance of the first half. Their Nigerian striker Victor Philip got on the end of a perfect, swerving ball from the right flank with an immaculately timed jump but his close-range header missed the goal by a whisker.

Victor entered the thick of things once again three minutes before half time — shooting powerfully from a narrow angle but was denied by Priyant, who made a low, diving save at his near post.

Both sides made changes at the break, with SK Faiaz coming on for Mohammedan and Uttam Rai taking to the pitch for Garhwal as the match continued to remain a tense, cagey affair. Chances were few and far to come by, with Plaza dropping deep and looking to take up a playmaking role for the Black Panthers.

At the hour mark, Himanshu beat his opposing full-back down the left flank and charged into the box, before playing a low cross across the six-yard line which was cleared by a sliding Neeraj Bhandari.

Moments later, Victor broke through the Mohammedan defence and raced into the penalty area. As soon as he looked set to pull the trigger, he was denied by a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Kingsley Eze, sending the ball out for a corner kick.

Mohammedan earned a golden chance in the 67th minute to take the lead as Gani Ahmmed latched on to a slide-rule through-pass by Plaza and was brought down by Sayak Barai, with the referee booking the goalkeeper and pointing to the penalty spot. It was Plaza who stepped up to take the resulting kick but he failed to convert the opportunity as the ball hit the upright and went out of play.

Five minutes later, Plaza was to be denied by the woodwork yet again — this time the crossbar. Faiaz played in a chipped ball from the left side of the penalty box and the Trinidadian saw his headed attempt come back off the bar.

Yan Law’s team continued to pile on the pressure as the final whistle came closer but the opening goal remained elusive. In the 79th minute, Moinuddin charged down the right side and played in a lofted cross for Faiaz, who had the goal gaping in front of him but could not adjust his body in time to head the ball. Plaza thundered a volley just a minute later but it was blocked by Bala Alhassan.

Garhwal defended bravely against the relentless Mohammedan tide but in the 88th minute, they could have nicked the win as Victor played in Uttam down the middle with a deft through-ball. However, the forward fluffed his lines and saw his shot go wide of the post.

Four minutes of added time was announced and just as the match looked to be headed to a draw, Munmun Lugun secured the three points for Mohammedan with a goal worthy of winning any match. 30 yards away from goal and in the third minute of added time, he struck a powerful, dipping shot with his left foot that left the keeper with no chance and sent his teammates and bench into wild celebrations.

After the match, Mohammedan Sporting Head Coach Yan Law said, “Every team is here to compete. It was a tough match and we missed our chances — missed a penalty and hit the woodwork twice. Luckily, at the last minute, we scored a goal and hopefully, we will take this forward and pick up more points in the upcoming matches.”

Garhwal FC Head Coach Vikas Rawat commented, “In football, you have to keep pushing till the last minute and even added time. However, this result is not a heartbreak for us. I am sure it will make us tough and we will learn a lot from this game and it will make us stronger.”

With this result, Mohammedan Sporting join fellow Kolkata side Bhawanipore FC with three points from their opening game while Garhwal FC remain empty-handed despite being minutes away from recording a memorable result.

Both sides will be in action on the next matchday (October 11, 2020), with Mohammedan Sporting taking on the team from Gujarat — ARA FC at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata and Garhwal playing FC Bengaluru United, who began their campaign with a loss to Bhawanipore FC, at the Kalyani Stadium.

(I-League Media)