Match 8 of the Indian Super League (ISL) was truly eye-catching with FC Goa falling 1-3 to a Valskis-led Jamshedpur FC. The match was played at the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, Goa. Nerijus Valskis was at the double, ending a 9-match goalless drought. Jordan Murray later came on to add a third.
Earlier, Jamshedpur FC could only register a draw against SC East Bengal. However, this time the Men of Steel rose to the top of the table with a commanding win.
FC GOA: PLAYER RATINGS
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Coach: Juan Ferrando
Goalkeeper: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (7/10)
Defenders: Sanson Pereira (6/10), Aibanbha Dohling (7/10), Ivan Gonzalez (6.5/10), Seriton Fernandes (6/10)
Midfielders: Edu Bedia (7.5/10), Glan Martins (6/10), Alexander Romario Jesuraj (6/10), Alberto Noguera (7.5/10), Jorge Ortiz Mendoza (6/10)
Forwards: Devendra Murgaonkar (5.5/10)
Substitutes: Lalmangaihsanga (5/10), Airam Cabrera (7.5/10), Makan Winkle Chothe (5/10), Nongdamba Naorem (5/10)
JAMSHEDPUR FC: PLAYER RATINGS
Formation: 4-4-2
Coach: Owen Coyle
Goalkeeper: TP Rehenesh (5.5/10)
Defenders: Laldinliana Renthlei (6/10), Narender Gahlot (4/10), Peter Hartley (7/10) , Ricky Lallawmawma (5.5/10)
Midfielders: Komal Thatal (6/10), Seiminlen Doungel (7.5/10), Jitendra Singh (7/10), Alex Lima (6/10)
Forwards: Nerijus Valskis (9/10), Greg Stewart (8/10)
Substitutes: Jordan Murray (7/10), Boris Singh (5/10)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Lithuanian forward Nerijus Valskis was the Hero of the Match and was just one away from a perfect hat-trick. He scored his first with a left-footed low drive and then nodded on a pin-point freekick.
In the second period, FC Goa pressured Jamshedpur FC with a freekick. However, goalkeeper Rehenesh parried as he denied Alberto Noguera. Over at the other end, Valskis ended his goal drought with a low left-footed strike to put his team ahead.
Much more confident now, Valskis looked hungrier and was at it again. He doubled his tally and his team’s 10 minutes later. The Lithuanian climbed the highest in the area to nod home a curling Greg Stewart freekick, making it 2-0. Jordan Murray came in at the 80th minute mark and quickly made it 3-0 with his first touch.
Hero of the Match, Nerijus Valskis was ecstatic to finally score. He said: “I am very happy with the two goals. We were solid in defence and had some good chances in the first half but FCG was good. We scored 3 goals and we wanted to keep a clean sheet but we have won. It’s a good win and gives us a lot of confidence.“
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