FC Goa had to fight back hard to hold Jamshedpur FC to a 2-2 draw at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Thursday. In the end, it was a close call with a point better than nothing.
Unlike in their first away game against FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC started with more aggression at home and enjoyed play in the first ten minutes of play with the hosts content playing the 3-5-2 formation against the 4-2-3-1 approach of the visitors.
Jay Thomas had the first crack at the FC Goa goal but his try was smartly collected by FC Goa keeper Dheeraj.
FC Goa created its first chance thereafter when Makan Chothe and Iker Guarrotxena played 1-2 and Iker sprinted through towards the Jamshedpur goal but allowed the host defenders to outnumber him inside the box.
Jamshedpur created an opportunity in the 18th minute when Daniel Chukwu was found alone inside the FC Goa box. Daniel turned and took a crack at goal but his effort did not disturb steady Dheeraj under the FC Goa horizontal.
Jamshedpur FC took the lead at the half-hour mark through a corner earned after Ishan Pandita’s try was parried away by Dheeraj. Of the resultant corner taken by Rafael Crivellaro, Iker Guarrotxena who was looking to clear the ball saw his effort entering his own nets.
The goal stung the visitors and it took them around eight minutes to hit back. Iker, who handed the hosts the lead, hit back by running into the free space in the Jamshedpur area and leapt high to beat Vishal Yadav with a neat placement.
Both teams left for the lemon break sharing two goals.
Jamshedpur FC took the lead five minutes into the second session through their former player Ishan Pandita. FC Goa’s Dohling back passed to his keeper who was late in reaching the ball and Ishan who was lurking around, pounced on the opportunity to dispossess Dheeraj and put his team in the lead again.
Ishan’s goal saw FC Goa try and put new life into their game but Jamshedpur appeared equally resolute and both teams entertained with their unique attacking styles of football.
Brison Fernandes who was given a start this evening was substituted by Ayush Chhetri and defender Anwar Ali made way for striker Devendra Murgaonkar in order to add more teeth to the attack and it paid off with the former assisting Iker in finding the equalizer and the much-needed point to remain amongst the top four.