In a thrilling Group D encounter at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday, FC Goa emerged victorious in their campaign opener of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 against Inter Kashi.
Goals from Noah Sadaoui and Carlos Martinez secured a 2-1 win for the Gaurs, while Nikum Gyamar netted Inter Kashi’s consolation strike.
Earlier in the day, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez made a handful of changes to his regular playing XI from the Indian Super League (ISL), as Narayan Das and Leander D’Cunha started in defence alongside Odei Onaindia and Jay Gupta while Ayush Chhetri and Paulo Retre played in the midfield.
The clash started with some intense action, with Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh making a crucial save in the 3rd minute itself from a shot by Edmund Lalrindika. A minute later, skipper Onaindia exhibited defensive prowess by heading away a dangerous free-kick.
In the very next minute, Noah Sadaoui made a brilliant run with the ball from deep in his own half to the opposition box before firing a shot towards the far post, but Inter Kashi goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya was able to make a tidy save.
As the match progressed, the Gaurs continued to make several attempts at breaking the deadlock, including a close miss from Carl McHugh off a corner-kick in the 24th minute.
In spite of it all, the first half concluded with a goalless scoreline, with Inter Kashi showcasing a solid resolve to keep the Men in Orange at bay.
The change of ends brought more excitement as Inter Kashi had a goal ruled out for offside in the 49th minute.
But soon enough, FC Goa found the breakthrough. Noah, assisted by Brison Fernandes, found the far corner of the net with a precise finish from just outside the opposition box in the 58th minute to hand his team a much-deserved lead.
Carlos Martinez then doubled their advantage in the 66th minute, with a skillful play initiated by Noah. The Moroccan moved with the ball on the left flank, before finding the Spaniard in space inside the box and playing him a lobbed ball.
Martinez chested it down to evade a defender, and then poked it over another onrushing player and the diving goalkeeper to score his seventh goal of the season.
Inter Kashi fought back, and Nikum Gyamar pulled one back in the 78th minute with a superb shot from outside the box. With their lead cut short, FC Goa doubled their efforts in attack.
Towards the game’s dying minutes, Noah created a few opportunities alongside Boris Singh, Devendra Murgaokar and Saviour Gama, but a lack of bite in finishing meant that the Gaurs had to hold on to secure the 2-1 victory.
Next up for the Men in Orange at the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 is an assignment against Bengaluru FC on Wednesday.