Iker inspires FC Goa to easy win against Mohammedan

Margao: FC Goa maintained their winning momentum, securing a 2-0 win against bottom-placed Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Tuesday.
Spanish forward Iker Guarrotxena gave Goa the lead in the 40th minute and played a big part in the team’s second as his header hit the post and then rebounded off Mohammedan goalkeeper Padam Chhetri in the 86th minute.
Goa, who will finished second, moved to 48 points with a game in hand, while Mohammedan are rooted at the bottom of the table with 12 points from 23 games.
The teams had nothing at stake. Goa were already guaranteed a second place and a direct berth in the semifinals, while Mohammedan were almost certain to finish bottom.
Goa coach Manolo Marquez took the opportunity to test players who did not have enough minutes under their belt. Goalkeeper Lara Sharma, who joined from Kerala Blasters FC at the start of the season, finally made his debut after struggles with injury.
Once a familiar face in the starting line-up, Seriton Fernandes got a start, after previously accumulating only 69 minutes across four appearances. So was the case of Nim Dorjee Tamang, Rowllin Borges and 18-year-old developmental player Sanatomba Singh Yanglem.
Goa stared strongly with a series of attacks.
Iker was first to try from distance while Rowllin forced a block from the Mohammedan keeper as he connected a header from a cross by Boris Singh.
Rowllin came close again after a poor clearance by the rival defence, but the seasoned midfielder ballooned over his effort from inside the box.
In the 39th minute, Boris was denied by the crossbar. However, Goa, who had scored in all their 22 games so far, broke the deadlock in the next minute.
Dejan Drazic sent in a sharp cross which Ayush Chhetri headed in the path of Iker, who nodded in the opener from inside a crowded goalmouth.
Goa continued their dominance in the second half and came close on three occasions, all from headers, through Armando Sadiku, Nim and Iker.
Mohammedan hardly tested Lara in the Goa goal. They had only one shot on target compared to Goa’s five. The home side crossed on 20 occasions while the visitors managed only seven.
Goa definitely needed a second and it came once again from Iker’s header as he connected after a dangerous corner from Borja Herrera. It was counted as an own-goal after Iker header came off the upright, hit the keeper and entered the goal.
It was Goa’s final home league match of the season as they now travel to take on Shield Winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their last league match in Kolkata on Saturday.