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Cesar Ferrando's Jamshedpur side earned a point away from home in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Fatorda Stadium as they kept a clean sheet against the mighty FC Goa. The match finished 0-0 with the second half seeing much more clear-cut chances compared to the cagey first half.
Sergio Lobera kept his new signings on the bench as he preferred Md Nawaz between the sticks to the new signing Naveen Kumar, who was on the bench alongside another new signing in Zaid Krouch. The away side manager also kept the likes of Bikash Jairu and Tim Cahill out of the starting XI.
The Steelers went closest to scoring in the first half as Sergio Cidoncha's 25th-minute free kick skimmed the side netting with a shot fired wide in the next minute. Goa also saw two missed chances in the first half as their players failed to find the target.
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In the last 15 minutes, Goa sparked a double save from Subrata Pal, who was the hero once more for the away side as he got his fingertips to the ball in the last minute to ensure his clean sheet.
Let's take a look at five hits and flops from the match:
#1 Hit: Sergio Cidoncha
Sergio Cidoncha on his return from injury was the most dangerous player on the pitch in the first half. His 25th-minute curling free-kick, which hit the side netting, was the closest any side could get to scoring in the first 45 minutes. His back-heel pass in the next minute also led to a chance that was fired wide by one of his teammates.
With Carlos Calvo suspended for three matches for his racist remarks, Cido's return couldn't have come at a better time for his side as he helped Farukh Choudhary up front in attack with Michael Soosairaj and Pablo Morgado supporting from the wings.
#2 Flop: Mario Arques
Mario Arques was playing with Memo as the second holding midfielder for the Steelers but was surprisingly awarded the most clear-cut chances of the match to score. While he was decent in his own half of the pitch, it was the opposition half where he disappointed.
Just after the hour mark, the 27-year old midfielder arrived late for a cross that lacked any sort of pace and misplaced his header over the bar as he spurned a golden opportunity. Ten minutes later, Arques got in between the centre-backs and was the focal point of a good cross but the Spaniard wasn't able to hit the target once again as his side failed to take all the three points from the Fatorda Stadium.
#3 Hit: Subrata Pal
Subrata Pal became the third goalkeeper to win the 'Hero Player of the Match' award this season. He wasn't required much in the first 75 minutes but made many pivotal saves when called upon in the last few minutes of the game.
In the 84th minute, the 32-year-old made a double save as Coro tricked a couple of defenders before shooting at goal, which was saved by Pal. The Jamshedpur goalkeeper got a hand to another shot inside the same minute to parry it behind for the corner.
In the last minute of the match, Pal made another pivotal save as he got his fingertips to a shot from Brandon Fernandes to earn an important point for his side.
He picked up a concussion at the end of the match but Ferrando said that the custodian will be fit for the next match.
#4 Flop: Jackichand Singh
The FC Goa winger displayed brilliant performances in the first half of the season but failed to hit the ground running after the long international break.
The 26-year-old winger was praised for his excellent dribbling and crossing ability but he failed to provide the latter on Monday as he lost the ball on several occasions in the first half.
In the 7th minute, Singh delivered a dangerous cross in the six-yard box but no one in the orange shirt was able to meet the ball in the box. From there, it was a no show from the Manipur-born winger.
With about 20 minutes left to play, Jackichand Singh was replaced by Manvir Singh as Goa was in dire need of goals to get the important 3 points.
#5 Hit: Tiri
Jamshedpur FC has the best defensive record in the league, second only to Bengaluru FC since Tiri's arrival at the club as they have conceded just 32 goals in 21 goals.
The Spaniard was once more a rock at the back as he led his defence to another clean sheet, this time away to the team which has scored the most number of goals. Apart from his organization skills and captaincy, the 27-year-old was instrumental in keeping the clean sheet with his well-timed interceptions and headed clearances.
Often considered the best defender in the league by the pundits, Tiri put in another excellent performance for the away side as he helped his team win an important point.
ALSO SEE: ISL Schedule | ISL Results | ISL Points table
