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Second half goals by Aibanba Duhling and super divers Faris Arnaout and Noah Al Saddawi helped FC Goa secure an emphatic 3-0 victory over ATK Mohun Bagan at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
The victory also brought an end to the Mariners’ undefeated run over the Gaurs, which had lasted two seasons since the first’s inception.
Earlier in the day, FC Goa coach Carlos Pena made two changes to the starting line-up that started in the defeat to Kerala Blasters, with Redeem Tlang and Marc Valiente replacing injured Noah Al Sadawy and Savior Gama respectively. The return of the Spaniard strengthened Gore’s defence.
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The first half saw the hosts dominate most of the stat charts with Oulad Pena retaining 58% of ball possession, and playing nearly twice as many accurate passes as their opponents, with four shots on target during the period.
It all started in the second minute itself, when a superb long ball from Edu Bedia in midfield found Alvaro Vazquez, who advanced into the ATKMB area and pulled the trigger, forcing Vishal Kaith to make an equally impressive save.
Three minutes later, Iker Guarrotxena and Bedea tested the 26-year-old in quick succession, but the opening goal remained elusive.
In the 22nd minute, when FC Goa finally managed to put the ball past their opponents thanks to Vazquez’s tackle, the goal was ruled out due to an off-side call by the referee. This did not deter the men at Orange as they continued to create chances at will, ultimately ending the first half promisingly.
After changing ends, it only took him five minutes to get the long-awaited lead. It was masterminded by Anwar Ali, who spotted Aibanbha Dohling’s run down the left wing and put a long, diagonal ball into his path, only for the latter to outsmart the defender, head towards goal and press a shot into the top right corner of the goal. Net from the narrowest corners.
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The goal put ATK Mohun Bagan more on the back foot, and that they weren’t able to win the ball back from FC Goa didn’t help their case either.
Shortly afterwards, Bina brought Fares Arnaout and Noah El Sedawy off the bench, in what ultimately proved to be a deft tactical strike. Both players managed to find the back of the net within six minutes and put the match to bed.
Arnaout’s strike came first in the 76th minute. Edo Bedia found himself in the thick of things again, firing a corner kick at the near post, and the Syrian international, in turn, evaded his marker before slamming the ball into the net.
The final nail in the Mariners’ coffin was driven by El Sedaoui in the 82nd minute, when he pulled their goalkeeper Keith out of position and fumbled one inside from just over 30 yards out.
Special mention must be made of FC Goa’s defence, whose brilliance was rewarded with a clean sheet, his third of the season. Meanwhile, the win put the Men in Orange in third place with 12 points from six matches.
The next task for Carlos Pena’s sons is another home task, against FC Bengaluru on Saturday, November 26.
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