Jamshedpur FC staged a remarkable late comeback to defeat FC Goa 2-1 at the Fatorda Stadium in their ISL 2024-25 clash on Tuesday evening. Goals from Javier Siverio and Jordan Murray in the final stages of the match overturned a 1-0 deficit, ensuring that the Red Miners began their campaign with a crucial away victory.
FC Goa, playing on home soil, started brightly, and their first-half dominance culminated in a goal just before the break. Armando Sadiku, the Albanian striker who joined FC Goa from Mohun Bagan Super Giant over the summer, found the back of the net in stoppage time of the first half.
The Gaurs had controlled the flow of the game, with Sadiku and Carl McHugh both testing Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper Albino Gomes with long-range efforts in the first and second halves.
Gomes, however, was in stellar form, thwarting numerous chances from FC Goa and keeping his team within reach. He utilized his height and agility effectively, making several crucial saves to keep the Red Miners competitive.
But just as the first half was drawing to a close, FC Goa finally broke through. Midfielder Rowllin Borges orchestrated the move, driving the ball forward before delivering a perfectly timed pass to Sadiku, who made no mistake in slotting the ball past Gomes to give the home team the lead.
Despite trailing for much of the match, Jamshedpur FC regrouped and ramped up the pressure in the second half. Their persistence paid off in the 74th minute when forward Javier Siverio drew a foul inside the penalty box from FC Goa defender Onei Onaindia. The referee pointed to the spot, and Siverio confidently converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1. It was a well-deserved equalizer for the visitors, who had gradually taken control of the game after the hour mark.
With the scores tied, Jamshedpur FC could have settled for a point, but head coach Khalid Jamil had other ideas. Refusing to sit back, he encouraged his team to push for a winner, and they responded with a flurry of attacks on the Goa defense. Jamil’s decision to keep his team on the front foot proved to be a masterstroke as they continued to create chances.
As the match edged into stoppage time, Jamshedpur found the breakthrough they had been searching for. Midfielder Mobashir Rahman delivered a pinpoint lobbed pass to Jordan Murray on the left flank. Murray, with an exquisite first touch, cut inside the penalty area and unleashed a fierce shot that ricocheted off the post and into the net in the 93rd minute, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Jamshedpur FC.
It was a remarkable turnaround for Jamshedpur. Although FC Goa had the upper hand for much of the match, particularly in the first half, the visitors’ ability to remain composed and execute their game plan in the final stages made all the difference.
For FC Goa, it was a bitter defeat after leading for so long, and they will need to regroup quickly for their upcoming fixtures. On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC’s confidence will be buoyed by this hard-fought win, with Albino Gomes’ goalkeeping heroics and the attacking efforts of Siverio and Murray setting the tone for what could be a promising season ahead.
