Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy: Armando Sadiku’s strike propels FC Goa to the Finals

September 3 2024 – Goa, India: FC Goa secured their place in the finals of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2024 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over CSD Defensa y Justicia in the semi-final clash held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Tuesday.

The Gaurs, who are also the defending champions, will now await the winner of the second semi-final between Odisha FC and A-League Men side Brisbane Roar FC, which will be held later on the same day.

With Head Coach Manolo Marquez on duty with the Indian senior Men’s National Team, Assistant Coach Gouramangi Singh took charge of the Men in Orange for the first time. Gouramangi rang in five changes to the starting XI from their previous match against Dempo SC, with Odei Onaindia, Aakash Sangwan, Rowllin Borges, Brison Fernandes and Dejan Dražić coming into the lineup.

A last-minute injury to Carl McHugh during the warm-ups, however, saw Muhammed Nemil reinstated into the starting XI as well.

The match was a physical contest right from the outset, with Defensa y Justicia applying pressure and aggressive tackles in an attempt to disrupt FC Goa’s rhythm. However, the Gaurs remained composed, gradually asserting control over the game through disciplined defending and well-organized build-up play.

The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when Albanian striker Armando Sadiku found the back of the net, marking his fifth goal in as many games.

After receiving a pass in the final third, Sadiku was forced to play the ball back to Rowllin Borges under pressure from the Defensa defenders. Borges then sent the ball wide to Boris Singh, who charged down the right flank and delivered a precise cross into the box. Sadiku, having made his way back into the box by then, expertly controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a powerful volley into the top corner, leaving the Argentinian side’s goalkeeper Gonzalez Maximo with no chance.

The Men in Orange carried their momentum into the second half, creating several more opportunities to extend their lead. Dražić came close on two occasions, but was unable to convert his chances.

As the match neared its conclusion, FC Goa had a golden opportunity to seal the victory when Borja Herrera spotted Maximo out of position and attempted an audacious shot from inside his own half. However, the Defensa goalkeeper Maximo made a desperate save to keep his team in the match.

The final minutes saw both teams fiercely contesting possession, with the visitors throwing everything forward in search of an equalizer. Goa, however, stood firm and managed to see out the game, securing a place in the final.

The final of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2024 will take place on Friday, September 6, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, with the kick-off slated for 7:00 pm IST.

About FC Goa

FC Goa is a professional football club based out of Goa that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL). Nicknamed the Gaurs, FC Goa have been one of the most consistently successful teams in the ISL – reaching 5 semi-finals and 2 finals in 10 seasons.

FC Goa hold the record for the most goals, joint-most golden boots and most number of playoff appearances (7 in total) in the history of the league.

In 2020, FC Goa also became the first team from India to qualify for the league stages of the AFC Champions League, by virtue of winning the first-ever ISL League Winners Shield in the 2019-20 season.

The Gaurs’ trophy cabinet is further adorned by the 2019 Super Cup, the 2018-19 Goa Professional League, the 2020 Goa Police Cup and the 2021 Durand Cup.

Co-owned by Mr Jaydev Mody, Mr Akshay Tandon and Mr Virat Kohli, FC Goa are one of the few Indian clubs to have a complete youth development ecosystem. Its U13, U15, U17, U19 and Developmental Teams compete at the highest levels in Goa and India.