Goa: Mumbai City FC won their fierce battle against FC Goa after Adam Le Fondre slotted a spot-kick in the last minute of the match. This was Islanders’ first win over the Gaurs after seven games and it marked their first victory of the season.
The game had all ups and downs from the first minute. Goa looked more threatening in the first half as their building up play was smooth. Captain Edu Bedia was playing his role pretty well and was trying to create opportunities for his teammates. But Goa were cut short to 10 men in the 40th minute of the match after Redeem Tlang was given his marching orders due to high boot.
It was a straight red for Tlang and from that moment the game turned. In the second half Mumbai with an extra man took every sort of advantage to open the scoring but was failing due to lack of desire from other players. Hugo Boumous and Le Fondre was playing their part but was failing to score. Even Mandar Rao Desai missed an open net for Mumbai City FC.
When everyone thought that it will be a goalless draw the twist happened. A header from Bipin Singh touched the hands of FC Goa’s Lenny Rodriguez and the referee made no hesitation in pointing the spot for a Mumbai penalty. Le Fondre with bags of experience and nerves of steel slotted in pass Mohammad Nawaz in the last minute of the game and clinched an important victory over FC Goa. A happy night for the Islanders and for the Gaurs it was just disappointment.
FC Goa under Juan Ferrando needs some more time. Igor is a good forward but not a natural goal scorer like Ferran Corominas. They are lacking in scoring. No doubt their midfield is the strongest within the team but they lack a positive no.9 and that’s been the problem of Wednesday’s match against Mumbai City FC. Hope the Gaurs come back with their natural game in the next match. They just need time to settle in as a side.
Sergio Lobera would be a happy man today. He gave FC Goa the success after Zico as a coach and coaching against them and winning will be a different kind of satisfaction for the Spaniard. With Ahmed Jahouh missing due to a card it was important how Lobera plans against his former side.
It was not the sharpest Lobera tactics but was enough to win a match for his new club. Boumous looked good as he tried. But Le Fondre was special tonight. No doubt this man can be a threat to other clubs this season. A hard task completed for them. Just like people say, ‘Fortune Favours The Brave’.
