ISL: FC Goa seal last semi-final spot with win over Jamshedpur FC as keepers see red

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Jamshedpur, March 4: It was a tale of two red cards and a brace from Ferran Corominas as FC Goa cruised into the Indian Super League semi-finals with a convincing 3-0 win over Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur, on Sunday (March 4).

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Goa needed at least a draw to seal their spot in the final four, but a win takes them to third in the table, one place above FC Pune City. Jamshedpur fought valiantly but are now out of the reckoning and will look forward to the Super Cup after finishing fifth.

It took just seven minutes for the first major event of the match. Jamshedpur had started with a lot of attacking intent, but were left deflated when Subrata Paul handled the ball outside the area and got himself sent off. With a man down, the home side were staring at an ominous result.

Steve Coppell sacrificed Bikash Jairu to send in goalkeeper Sanjiban Ghosh and he conceded at the half an hour mark. It was a typical free-flowing move from Goa. Hugo Boumous slipped Seriton Fernandes through, and his cross was missed by Tiri, leaving Corominas to score from the far post with ease.

Key men

Top-scorer Ferran Corominas (left) and Manuel Lanzarote were key in guiding FC Goa into the ISL semis (Image: ISL Media)

Jamshedpur down to 10 early

Izu Azuka of Jamshedpur FC (right) attempts to dribble past Edu Bedia of FC Goa. Jamshedpur were playing at home but were down to 10 men after goalkeeper Subrata Paul handled the ball outside his area (Image: ISL Media)

Close-knit family

Ferran Corominas, Edu Bedia and Manuel Lanzarote dominated FC Goa's display. (Image: ISL Media)

One goes over the bar

Manuel Lanzarote did not make the most of a free-kick chance just outside the D. FC Goa were awarded this set-piece immediately after Subrata Paul of Jamshedpur FC was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty box. (Image: ISL Media)

Naveen follows Subrata

Both teams had their goalkeepers sent off in the thrilling ISL game.

The remaining four

The semifinal fixtures: Table-toppers Bengaluru FC take on FC Pune City, while Chennaiyin FC lock horns with third-placed FC Goa.

Making the elite group

The ISL table after the Jamshedpur FC vs FC Goa match. The result took FC Goa into the third spot on the table, above FC Pune City.

Souvik Chakrabarti and Izu Azuka combined a few times to threaten Goa's goal, but while they put pressure on the defence, they failed to break Goa down convincingly.

Jamshedpur had no option but to chase the match and that left big gaps at the back. Lanzarote's aerial through ball found Corominas on the run, and he slammed it past the goalkeeper after excellent technique to control the ball. With a two-goal cushion, the visitors started attacking with all their force to finish the match off. Ahmed Jahouh took a rasping effort from distance which struck the woodwork, but Goa soon found the third goal.

This time it was Corominas' pass that was cleverly left by Edu Bedia to run onto Lanzarote. The attacker measured his finish and neatly tucked it into the back of the net.

Things got interesting when Goa lost their goalkeeper Naveen Kumar for exactly the same reason Jamshedpur did - but this comedy of errors came too late for Jamshedpur to make the most of it.

Goa had already scampered away to a healthy lead and stormed into the semi-finals where they will face Chennaiyin FC.

Source: ISL Media