Rafael Coelho converted on a set piece in the 32nd minute to give FC Goa a second win and a chance to revive their campaign in the Indian Super League at Balewadi Sports Complex here on Thursday. Goa defeated hosts FC Pune City 1-0.
Goa are now up a place from bottom having swapped positions with Pune City whose only win (2-1) in this campaign came against the same opponents in the away fixture.
Goa, who registered their earlier (1-0) win against Mumbai City FC, now have seven points from eight games while Pune are bottom with six points in seven games.
The Stallions suffered a blow prior to the match as defender Ravanan Dharmaraj was hit with a two-match suspension and fined '40,000 for an infringement during the previous game here against Chennaiyin FC.
Having drawn their previous three games, the hosts set off with an early Jonatan Lucca free-kick stretching Goa goalkeeper Laximikanth Katti-mani to the limit. After initial pressure Goa cut loose with a quick counter to push the hosts back.
The visitors created two good chances inside two minutes with Romeo Fernandes and Richarlyson Felisbino sending in dangerous crosses but Brazilian forward Coelhos’ attempt was blocked and Luciano Sobrosa’s header was wide.
The visitors had more shots on goal in the first half hour despite Pune City enjoying bulk of possession.
The Gaurs went ahead when Coelho’s smart curling free-kick sailed over the wall and into the near corner of the net. This was after FC Goa’s hardworking Spanish midfielder Joffre Gonzalez won a free-kick in a dangerous position when he was brought down by Augustin Fernandes, who was booked.
The match took an ugly turn when Sabrosa went down in an aerial duel with Dramane Traore near the touchline towards the end of first half. Both the sides engaged in arguments and got physical, earning bookings for Goa’s Rafael Dumas and Pune’s Anibal Zurdo Rodriguez. Pune found intensity after the interruption and Tato almost got the equaliser but Kattimani held on to it despite losing balance.
Zico strengthened the defense after an hour by bringing in Raju Gaikwad for the off-colour Robin Singh. Joffre was also soon substituted by Reinaldo Oliveira.
Kattimani brought off a hat-trick of saves within three minutes to keep Goa’s lead intact, and they had a chance to finish with a flourish but Coelho couldn’t find the net despite driving Bete out of position.
