FC Goa soared to victory against Bengaluru FC in a thrilling encounter at the Fatorda Stadium, clinching a 2-1 win in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 showdown. The Gaurs’ triumph propelled them to the third spot in the standings, amassing 36 points with their 10th victory in 19 games, marking a significant rebound from their recent three-match losing streak in February.
The match ignited with a burst of energy as Bengaluru FC swiftly seized the initiative, stunning the hosts with an early goal just two minutes into the game. The visitors wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Shivaldo Singh’s right-footed strike from the center of the box finding the back of the net, setting the tone for a fiercely contested encounter.
FC Goa quickly responded with attacking intent, as Boris Singh attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box in the fifth minute, only to be denied by a remarkable save. The Gaurs continued to press forward, with Noah Sadaoui missing a chance in the fifth minute with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box.
Despite FC Goa’s attacking prowess, Bengaluru FC remained resilient in defense, with Boris Singh missing another opportunity in the tenth minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box. The Blues’ goalkeeper came to the rescue once again, saving Brandon Fernandes’ right-footed shot from outside the box in the twentieth minute.
However, FC Goa’s persistence paid off in the twenty-second minute when Boris Singh took a shot fiercely, but it took a deflection off defender Odei Onaindia to land into the back of the net with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu being unable to thwart the attack. The goal injected new life into the match, with both teams pushing for further opportunities.
As the first half drew to a close, both teams continued to create chances, with Noah Sadaoui missing a shot in stoppage time. The referee blew the whistle for halftime, with the score tied at 1-1. FC Goa dominated possession with 62.5%, managing three shots on target, while Bengaluru FC managed two shots on target with 37.5% possession.
The second half saw a pivotal moment in the 47th minute when Suresh Singh of Bengaluru FC was shown a red card for a foul, reducing the visitors to ten players. There was a pivotal shift in the momentum for both teams following this. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Bengaluru FC remained resilient, with Carlos Martínez’s right-footed shot from the center of the box saved in the fifty-third minute.
FC Goa continued to apply pressure, with Noah Sadaoui missing another opportunity in the fifty-seventh minute with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box. Borja Herrera came close to scoring in the seventy-first minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box, but the ball missed the target.
The breakthrough finally came for FC Goa in the eighty-first minute when Boris Singh scored his second goal of the match with a right-footed shot from very close range, putting the home side ahead 2-1. Despite Bengaluru FC’s efforts to find an equalizer, Slavko Damjanovic’s header in stoppage time was just too high, and the match ended with FC Goa securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory
The match concluded with FC Goa celebrating a crucial win, moving up the league standings with 36 points from 10 victories in 19 games. Boris Singh’s impressive performance coupled with Odei Onaindia’s goal propelled the Gaurs to victory, showcasing their determination and resilience on the field. After this encounter, FC Goa is set to face Hyderabad FC in their upcoming match scheduled for April 5th. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC will resume action sooner, taking on Odisha FC on March 30th following the international break.
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