Brison's brilliant brace stretches FC Goa’s unbeaten streak

PANAJI

FC Goa secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the league leaders, Mohun Bagan Super Giants, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (PJN Stadium) in Fatorda on Friday evening. The star of the match was 23-year-old Brison Fernandes, whose brilliant brace helped the Gaurs celebrate an early Christmas with three important points in the Indian Super League 2024-25 season.

The match started slowly, with both teams trying to gain control in the midfield. However, FC Goa drew first blood in the 12th minute. Brison Fernandes received the ball on the left wing, took on Mohun Bagan’s Asish Rai, and unleashed a shot that took a deflection off Tom Aldred’s boot, wrong-footing goalkeeper Vishal Kaith and finding the back of the net. Despite being down early, Mohun Bagan Super Giants continued to dominate possession and controlled the tempo of the game.

Mohun Bagan’s first real opportunity came from a corner, with Alberto Rodriguez heading towards goal. However, FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari was well-positioned to collect the ball. The Mariners continued to press but missed several chances. The best opportunity before halftime fell to Dimitrios Petratos, whose header off a cross from Manvir Singh sailed over the bar.

The second half saw a more determined Mohun Bagan side as they pushed for an equalizer. In the 55th minute, they were awarded a penalty after Armando Sadiku handled the ball in the box following a cross from Petratos. The Australian forward made no mistake from the spot, sending Hrithik Tiwari the wrong way and slotting the ball into the top left corner to level the score at 1-1.

After the equalizer, both teams had chances, but Mohun Bagan’s finishing let them down. In the 64th minute, Sadiku had a chance to put FC Goa ahead again but failed to make a clean connection with the ball in the box. Just three minutes later, Brison Fernandes struck again. The winger got on the end of a beautiful cross from Borja, and with a clinical header, put the Gaurs back in front at 2-1 in the 67th minute.

Despite trailing, Mohun Bagan continued to push forward and created a couple of promising opportunities. In the 69th minute, a quick counter-attack saw Jamie Maclaren fail to reach a cross from Manvir Singh. In the 74th minute, FC Goa’s new signing Iker Guarrotxena almost sealed the victory when he was put through on goal by Sadiku, but his shot was saved by Kaith.

As the match entered the final stages, FC Goa brought on fresh legs to preserve their lead. Manolo Marquez made a double substitution, replacing Borja and Mohammed Yasir with Iker Guarrotxena and Udanta Singh. Guarrotxena nearly made an instant impact with a well-struck effort that was saved by the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper. In the closing moments, FC Goa’s defense held strong, and with the Mariners failing to capitalize on their chances, the Gaurs sealed the victory.

This victory extended FC Goa’s unbeaten run to seven games, and they now sit third on the ISL table with 22 points, just four behind leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giants, who remain at the top with 26 points. Speaking post the match to The Goan, Brison Fernandes expressed his delight, saying, “I love scoring goals, and I will continue to play this way. We at FC Goa will continue to work hard and give our best. This was very important for all of us to win this match and go into the break on a high note.”