Manvir Singh scored early in both halves of football at the GMC Athletic Stadium on Tuesday night, as ATK Mohun Bagan beat FC Goa to go second in the Indian Super League table.
FC Goa hoarded more than two-thirds of the possession, attempted 16 shots at the opposition goal, and yet were at the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline on Tuesday night. As has been the case under manager Derrick Pereira, the Gaurs did everything right until they reached the final third, where their lack of ruthlessness allowed opponents ATK Mohun Bagan to escape unscathed and hit them on the counter.
Despite what would transpire later, ATKMB took the lead just three minutes into the match through Manvir. The attacker looked to have hurt himself contesting for a ball, but, a minute later, he was flicking Liston Colaco’s corner in at the near post to give his team the lead.
Minutes later, the Mariners went direct in search of the second goal, playing the ball out quickly to Colaco in the final third but for the youngster to shoot narrowly wide – from range.Just past the half-hour mark, Anwar Ali thumped the ball goalwards, which was subsequently tipped onto the bar and behind by Amrinder Singh. This came minutes after Joni Kauko had flashed a shot across the goal for ATKMB at the other end.
ATKMB doubled their lead seconds after the restart. Princeton Rebello gave the ball away to Colaco straight from kick-off, and the attacker played Manvir in straight through. The goalscorer kept his composure, rounded the goalkeeper, and scored for the second time on the night – into an empty net.
📉 Manvir Singh v FC Goa
— Sevens Football (@sevensftbl) February 15, 2022
➢ 89 Minutes Played
➢ 2 Goals
➢ 3/4 Shots OT
➢ 3 Chances Created
➢ 9/17 Passes
4 goals in the last 3 games. Manvir Singhi's fine form continues! 🇮🇳🔥 #JoyMohunBagan pic.twitter.com/NVelofKLTF
Dheeraj Singh, keeping the goal for Goa, prevented Manvir from completing his hattrick 50 minutes in, crawling towards the attacker to smother his shot from close range. He and his defence then prevented Manvir and Liston from scoring ATKMB’s third, despite the attacking pair finding themselves 2-v-1 at one point in the play.
Liston also rattled the bar towards the end of the game directly from the corner, but ATKMB failed to add to their two-goal lead.
Goa’s wastefulness in the final third cost them the match and has all but eliminated them from playoff contention. The Gaurs aren’t mathematically out yet but will need nothing short of a miracle to make it into the top four with three games to go.
