Welcome to another edition of the Indian football news roundup. Today, we will talk about FC Goa ending Mumbai City FC’s unbeaten run in the ISL, Indian Arrows succumbing to NEROCA in the I-League, Aizawl FC edging out defending champions Minerva Punjab, Chennaiyin FC’s latest signing, Hero Gold Cup fixtures, and Santosh Trophy fixtures.
In case you missed out yesterday’s edition of the Indian football news roundup, you can check it out here.
ISL 2018-19: FC Goa ends Mumbai City’s unbeaten 9-match run
FC Goa ended Mumbai City FC’s unbeaten run in the ISL with a 2-0 victory over them at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. This win takes the Gaurs to the third spot in the points table, pipping Northeast United FC by one point and having a game in hand too.
Mumbai City FC started the game on a cautious note which ultimately cost them as the visitors broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Amrinder Singh produced a brilliant save to deny Ferran Corominas from scoring a goal but the rebound fell in Edu Bedia’s path who made no error in slotting the ball home.
As the teams exchanged the sides, Mumbai City FC started the game on an attacking note. However, they suddenly changed their plans and decided to sit back, defend, and pounce on the counter. This hurt the Islanders’ prospects as FC Goa attacked in numbers and were rewarded in the 79th minute. Indian international Subhasish Bose clipped Coro’s leg inside the penalty box and the Spaniard kept his cool to double the lead.
The final scoreline read 2-0 in favor of FC Goa who next faces Delhi Dynamos on 4th February.
I-League 2018-19: Indian Arrows succumb to NEROCA in endgame
Indian Arrows succumbed to NEROCA in the endgame to suffer a 3-2 defeat despite taking the lead twice. Boris Singh Thangjam opened the floodgates in the 34th minute when he connected a low cross from the right wing to score the 200th goal of the I-League 2018-19.
However, their joy was short-lived as Felix Chidi leveled things up four minutes later. The halftime scoreline remained the same but substitute Rohit Danu put the Indian Arrows on the forefront after winning the ball in NEROCA’s defensive third and going solo. Again, Indian Arrows’ joy was short-lived as Katsumi Yusa scored the equalizer six minutes later.
The visiting side finally took the lead in the 87th minute after the ball hit an Indian Arrows’ defender inside the penalty box and, the Japanese made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
I-League 2018-19: Aizawl FC edge out Minerva Punjab
In another simultaneous 02:00 p.m. kickoff match of the I-League, Aizawl FC edged out Minerva Punjab 1-0 at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium. Lalrinchhana scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute when he connected a cross from the right channel to beat the rival goalkeeper.
Minerva Punjab coach brought in their latest signing Mahmoud Al-Amna to score the equalizer. But, his efforts couldn’t sow any seeds.
ISL 2018-19: Chennaiyin FC sign 2015 Asian Cup winner Chris Herd
Chennaiyin FC signed 2015 Asian Cup winner Chris Herd for the remainder of the 2018-19 season. The Aussie last played for Buriram United in the Thai Premier League and will be the Asian foreigner the club would like to exploit for their 2019 AFC Cup commitments.
The 29-year-old played for Aston Villa in the English Premier League and for Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic in the Championship. He also played in the A-League for Western Sydney Wanderers.
2019 Hero Gold Cup: AIFF releases the fixtures
AIFF released the fixtures for the 2019 Hero Gold Cup- a four-nation tournament for the women’s team also involving Iran, Nepal, and Myanmar. The tournament is a part of the 2019 Women’s Olympic Qualifiers which the country qualified for the first time since its inception. Here are the fixtures:
February 9:
Myanmar vs Nepal (4pm)
India vs IR Iran (7pm).
February 11:
Myanmar vs IR Iran (4pm).
India vs Nepal (7pm).
February 13:
IR Iran vs Nepal (4pm).
India vs Myanmar (7pm).
February 15:
FINAL
2019 Santosh Trophy: AIFF releases the fixtures
AIFF released the fixtures for the qualifiers of the 2019 Santosh Trophy. The detailed can fixtures can be found out by going through the following link.
That’s it for today. Do check this space regularly to get the Indian football news roundup of the day.
