Margao: Manuel Lanzarote scored a brace as FC Goa toppled Jamshedpur 2-1 at the Fatorda Stadium here on Thursday. It was Deja Vu for the ‘Gaurs’ after a wait of three matches, that saw them losing twice coupled with a draw against ATK.
The win helped them jump to fourth ensuring they remain in the contention for the play-offs with 16 points from nine games, just two behind leaders Bengaluru FC. While Jamshedpur remained seventh after just two wins having played the same number of matches.
Lanzarote scored one at the brisk of half-time before adding a second 15 minutes later, goals that took him to third behind Bengaluru’s Miku and compatriot Ferran Corominas who although failed to score on the night, lighted up the occasion with some brilliant play with his countryman.
Goa will however consider themselves lucky after what looked like a clean tackle by Andre Bikey on Brandon Fernandes when the latter had ran past his marker in the Jamshedpur penalty box. But the referee thought it otherwise and pointed tot the spot and Lanzarote bossed over the shot firing at the same angle after he was asked to retake.
It was Brandon Fernandes once again 15 minutes after play had restarted who found Lanzarote through on goal, but well offside. The lines-man for the second time failed to take a correct call and Goa didn’t mince going ahead after the Spaniard No 10 fooled Tiri before slotting it past a hapless Subrata Paul.
Earlier it was the ‘Men of Steel’ who started better as Trinidade Goncalves caused havoc in the opening few minutes with his direct runs, leaving the home defence all over the place, who resorted to harsh tackles led by Ahmed Jahouh. The visitors came close quite a number of times with Azuka’s long range shot the closest, that sailed just wide of the post.
They again came blazing all guns in the seocnd-half after going down by a goal but it was Trinidade who gave them the equaliser rising the highest to head home a Jerry Mawihmingthanga cross, before Lanzarote sealed the deal for the ‘Gaurs.’
Azuka then had a chance to score late but missed, as Goa helped by a few decisions going their way climbed back to fourth.