New Delhi: SC East Bengal defeated Goa Football Club (FC) 2-1 in the first of the Indian Super League (ISL) season at the Athletic Stadium, Goa, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
Goa FC dominated the match for the first 5 minutes. They possessed the ball and moved towards the opponent’s box while East Bengal player Anwar Ali’s shot misfired in the 1st minute. SC created a strong defense and tried to contain FC.
FC’s Edu Bedia misplaced the backpass as SC’s Naorem Mahesh snatched the ball and smashed across FC goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem in the 9th minute. SC was leading with 1-0.
Though FC placed several balls in the box, SC keeper Arindam Bhattacharja saved the goals. FC’s Alexander Jesuraj got the ball inside the box to strike, but the ball went over the bar in the 24th minute.
FC’s Jorge Ortiz gave a thorough pass to Alberto Noguera in the 38th minute. Though SC’s Adil Khan made a side tackle, he failed to possess the ball from Noguera, who smashed a left foot and equalized scores for Goa.
Ali made a defensive blunder and gave the ball to opponent Mahesh in the 42nd minute.
Mahesh grabbed the ball and fired another goal. The ball hit the underside of the crossbar, dropped within the goal line, and bounced back. SC was leading again with 2-1.
The second half began with SC substituting Mohammad Rafique with Raju Gaikwad, who made a free-kick. Though Bedia stepped up for a goal, keeper Arindam dived and saved the net in the 52nd minute. Bedia smashed another goal that went straight to the keeper in the 70th minute.
The officials added seven minutes to the game, and Goa FC had a chance to equalize or gain more points, they failed to utilize the advantage, and SC East Bengal won their first game of the season 2-1.
(Avya Mathur)
