ISL 2020-21: Bengaluru FC fails to pass FC Goa test, out of playoffs contention

This was FC Goa's seventh win of the 2020-21 Indian Super League, while with nine draws and three losses, it has risen to the third spot. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC suffered its seventh loss of the season, as with five wins and seven draws, it stays at seventh.

FC Goa rode on its new-found mojo as it edged past former champion Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the Indian Super League 2020-21 at the Fatorda Stadium in Bengaluru. With this win, Goa has risen to third, while Bengaluru remains at seventh.

The opening half was chaotic, as it saw five attacks until the 17th minute, before Igor Angulo put Goa ahead a couple of minutes later, with his left foot to the bottom right from the centre, thanks to Glan Martins' assist. Three minutes later, Goa doubled it with Redeem Tlang's left-footed strike to the bottom-right from the centre, following an assist from Alexander Romario Jesuraj.

In the 32nd minute, Suresh Wangjam pulled one back for Bengaluru, with his ambitious right-footed effort to the top-left from the left flank, owing to Cleiton Silva's assist. Six more attacks ensued, as Sunil Chhetri almost drew level in the 41st, hitting the bar post, while Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh denied another attempt from him, as the half-time break kicked in.

The second half saw a total of 16 attacks, including three saves, while a couple of them came from Bengaluru goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, as Goa went for an all-out attack, thus pushing Bengaluru onto the back foot. However, none of the sides could find the back of the net in this half, while Goa managed to hold on to the slender lead to grab the all-important three points as the referee blew the full-time whistle.

As for the next clash, Goa would be up against fourth-placed Hyderabad FC on Sunday. Meanwhile, Bengaluru would face the sixth-placed Jamshedpur FC on Thursday.