Well, well, well. East Bengal triumphed at FC Goa’s expense in a game that provided entertainment and chances galore, yet it was ultimately decided by a late goal from Omegbemi Dudu which means that there will be at least one I-League side in the Hero Super Cup Final.
It Was A Depleted FC Goa Side
FC Goa had to make a lot of enforced changes due to the nature of the game in the last round against Jamshedpur where both sides finished the game with eight players.
Sadly, FC Goa were without the influential Hugo Boumous which in turn meant that the ISL side didn’t have their normal zip about them. Don’t get me wrong, they still had Edu Bedia in the middle of the park and Coro leading the line, but if we’re honest with one another, it was a Goa side which was miles away from full strength and if they did have their full complement, you have to feel that it would have been different outcome.
Both sides had more than enough chances to break the deadlock before Dudu capitalised on Kattimani’s hesitant nature to come off his line. To be fair to Dudu, he didn’t celebrate the goal out of respect for his former club, which was a nice touch. Nonetheless, if that was me and I’d just got the goal which had essentially sent my side to the final, I’d have gone completely radio rental. Such is the differing ways that individuals minds work.
It Was Even More Depleted After Edu Got Sent Off
Shortly after East Bengal took the lead, FC Goa’s skipper, Edu Bedia, got sent off for a second bookable offense and it was such a daft thing to do, but it seemed like he’d had enough and wanted to hit the showers. Ciao Edu.
Coro hit the woodwork twice during the game, including one from a freekick which was a superb effort which hit the outside of the post and went out of harm’s way.
It’ll be interesting to see what FC Goa’s side looks like come the start of next season as you’d think that if they can keep Coro, they’ll be right up there again, especially with Boumous playing the whole campaign.
On second thoughts, maybe Dudu didn’t celebrate out of respect for FC Goa…
“Dudu is a matured and experienced player. He delivered in the semis. Credit to him for the performance. Dudu never refused to celebrate. After scoring the goal he got injured. Let’s see but I think he will be fine before final.”
That’s what Khalid Jamil, East Bengal’s gaffer, had to say after the game. Hopefully, he’ll be alright for the final because I want a spectacle! FC Goa’s stand-in coach, Derrick Pereira, touched on some of the time-wasting antics at the end of the game and you can hear his complaints loud and clear:
Will Coro & Lanzarote Be Lining Up In The ISL Next Year?
“When a player is injured near touchline he can go out. It’s not a head injury or he wasn’t unconscious. I asked Dudu (Omagbemi) after the game, it was the hamstring. These things should not be encouraged. Khalid (Jamil) asked me to tell my players to kick the ball out.”
He was also asked about the future of Coro and Lanzarote, however, he refused to answer which suggests that one or both might be on their way out which will be a great shame because they’ve arguably been their two best players. Safe to say that the prediction league hasn’t got off to the best of starts this time around, we’ll see how we get on with the Bengaluru vs Mohun game…
Until the next time.
