ISL 2024-25: Brison scores brace as FC Goa ends year by beating Mohun Bagan
ISL 2024-25: Brison scores brace as FC Goa ends year by beating Mohun Bagan
FC Goa found its hero in local boy Brison Fernandes, whose brace helped it beat table-topper Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2-1 in its Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 match in Margao on Friday.
Brison, who started a game for Goa after nearly two months, combined with Borja Herrera once in either half, securing full points for the Gaurs and giving the home fans the perfect Christmas gift in their final match of 2024.
Goa struck from its first shot on target, or was it? It attacked against the run of play in the 12th minute, with Armando Sadiku’s backheel carried into the final third by Hererra.
The Spaniard then set up Brison, who side-stepped Asish Rai to take a shot, which after a major deflection off Tom Aldred’s right leg, ended in the back of the net, past a hapless Vishal Kaith who was left searching for the correct trajectory of the ball.
Sadiku’s link-up play almost bore fruit seconds before the first cooling break, when he drew the defenders away from Mohammed Yasir and then passed it to him as the Indian midfielder took a left-footed shot, forcing a save by Kaith.
Mohun Bagan’s best chance in the first half was in the 35th minute, when Alberto Rordriguez’s header, off Dimitrios Petratos’s corner kick, was saved by Hrithik Tiwari.
The visitor got another chance to equalise when Manvir Singh crossed from the left for an unmarked Petratos. But the Australian’s left-footed hit flew over the net, carrying a collective sigh from the travelling fans.
They got reason to celebrate eight minutes into the second half when Sadiku’s trailing left hand caught a Mohun Bagan cross and referee Crystal John pointed to the spot. Petratos lashed the ball into the top left corner, with young ‘keeper Hrithik’s attempt to save, despite jumping to the right side, rendered completely futile.
The home fans at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium booed John, unhappy with his decision. But Marquez pressed both his palms down, asking his boys to stay calm and keep their morale up.
And his army followed, with the leading goal coming within 13 minutes – Hererra floating in a cross and an unmarked Brison nodding it into the net as the local crowd erupted in appreciation for one of its own.
Mohun Bagan tried to equalise late when Manvir sent in a cross, with one minute of regulation time remaining. But Odei Onaindia’s timely clearance meant Goa maintained its bragging rights.
The win helped Goa climb to third in the standings, with 22 points from 12 matches while Mohun Bagan, suffering only its second league loss this season, remained atop, with four more points from as many games.
The Mariners travel to New Delhi for its final match of 2024, against Punjab FC on December 26, while Goa will play Odisha FC away on January 4.
