MATCH FACTS
FULL-TIME: FC Goa 0-0 Jamshedpur FC
MATCH REPORT
Jamshedpur FC dug in deep to nullify Goa’s possession football and in the process notched up their eighth draw of the season.
This was a draw the Jamshedpur coach César Ferrando would welcome though. The Gaurs are a potent threat in goal and have scored in every game bar two going into tonight’s match. They are the leagues’ top goalscorers with 27 goals and are on top of the Team xG (Chance Quality) Leaderboard.
To counter the threat, the Red Miners set themselves up in a defensive mid-block. Realising Edu Bedia was the main threat, the Jamshedpur midfield of Memo and Mario Arques kept a tight leash on the midfielder. The absence of Edu’s midfield partner Ahmed Jahouh who was on the bench played into Jamshedpur’s hands as Goa missed his ability to retain possession and distribute the ball.
Lenny Rodrigues who was playing alongside Edu in lieu of Ahmed Jahouh had a poor game and lost possession often.
With Edu Bedia contained and Goa unable to find players behind the lines, they attacked mainly through the wings, but the Jamshedpur fullbacks did well to contain Jackichand Singh and Co.
Goa did manage to create a handful of chances (1.09 xG worth of chances) which suggests they should’ve had a goal at the very least. They had 17 shots on goal out of which five were on target.
The introduction of Ahmed Jahouh in the 71st minute saw Goa gain a more solid grounding in the game. Brandon Fernandes, Corominas, Jackichand Singh and the new signing Zaid Krouch had some great chances to score but they were mostly off target and the ones which were on target, the Jamshedpur keeper Subrata Pal kept them out.
Jamshedpur had a couple of great opportunities to score as well – Mario Arques had a header and a tap in from less than six yards, but he managed to sky them both. That being said, Jamshedpur (5th place) could have actively sought out a win considering Goa are in fourth place and are a direct competitor.
Three points here could’ve propelled them into the top 4 playoff spot and they did win the reverse fixture 4-1 at home earlier in the season.
FC Goa now travel to Mumbai for their next game on Feb 1 while Jamshedpur FC will visit Kolkata to face off against ATK on Feb 3.
STARTING XI
FC Goa: 71′ A. Jahouh (Edu Bedia); 72′ Zaid Krouch (H. Boumous); 77′ Manvir Singh (Jackichand Singh).
Jamshedpur FC: 58′ M. Sawmtea (R. Gaikwad); 65′ T. Cahill (P. Morgado); 82′ Jerry M. (Michael Soosairaj).
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