FC Goa coach Zico's three-pronged forward line worked wonders for his side, who posted their first win of the Indian Super League after beating Mumbai City FC 1-0 at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai on Friday. Richarlyson scored the only goal of the game from a well-worked free-kick by the away side. Mumbai's attackers were toothless in comparison, and slumped to their second loss in their last three games.
Goa showed more verve going forward (four shots on target to Mumbai's one) and it was primarily down to the energy as well as the industry that Julio Cesar showed. The Brazilian came close to scoring with a long-ranger in the first half, but his effort went narrowly over the crossbar.
After a chaotic opening spell in the game, the ball was bogged down in midway through the second half. With five minutes left on the clock to the end of the first half, Goa drew first blood. Cesar's free-kick was floated over the defensive wall and Richarlyson, who darted into the box, unmarked, poked the ball home from close range.
Mumbai launched a flurry of attacks in the second half but none of their efforts tested the goal of Subashish Roy Choudhary. Just over the hour mark, Matias Defederico came close with a slick cut in and shot from outside the area, but the ball missed Choudhary's left post by a couple of inches.
Goa's defence, led by Gregory Arnolin, held firm and did well to keep Sony Norde and comeback man Diego Forlan quiet for a major part of the contest to crawl to a hard-earned and a well deserved first win in the competition.
Brief score:
Mumbai City FC 0 lose to FC Goa 1 (Richarlyson).