Kamal Ghorui
Margao: There’s a reason why FC Goa have resisted the temptation to sell or loan Muhammed Nemil, despite limited appearances and lack of goals. The attacking midfielder – playing as forward this season due to absence of foreigners in the position – is capable of something special.He’s done it during training, pre-season friendlies, and now, finally, in the Indian Super League (ISL).It was the third minute of first half added time, and just when everyone were waiting for the referee to whistle for half time, Nemil received the ball from Raynier Fernandes at some distance away from goal. In such cases, players instinctively move forward with the ball or look for someone ahead for a pass. Nemil, though, had different ideas: he controlled the ball with his right, and before anyone realised what happened, his powerful left-footer crashed into the top corner of the net. Such was the power and precision that a diving Mumbai City goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa couldn’t even get his fingertips to the ball.It was a goal of high quality, from the boots of someone who was one of the most exciting young prospects to have graduated from Reliance Foundations Young Champs’ first batch of graduates in 2020. This was his first goal in the ISL and, quite emotionally, he celebrated by running towards the VIP stand where his mother watched in delight.The goal was Goa’s second of the night, enough to dethrone unbeaten Mumbai City 2-0 after Sahil Tavora opened the account – his first of the season – at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.The win took Goa (16) to third on the table, just two points behind leaders Mumbai (18). Favourites Mohun Bagan SG are second with 17 points and have a game in hand.As indicated on match eve, coach Manolo Marquez made changes to his Goa side and surprised many by fielding midfielder Raynier on the right, to replace the injured Udanta Singh. The midfielder was enterprising; with Ayush Chhetri in fine form and Dejan Drazic, as usual, lively, there was constant action upfront.Most chances fell for Nemil, the lone man upfront. His first attempt was weak, second went straight to the keeper.Then, out of nowhere, Tavora pounced on an opportunity inside the box from a corner kick, even as everyone remained distracted with a shout for foul on Chettri and penalty. The goal gave Goa a deserving lead.Unbeaten Mumbai weren’t letting this slip out of their hands so easily. Jorge Pereyra Diaz was a constant threat upfront, but when Joni Kauko picked him up with a nice pass, the Argentinean lost his footing. Another chance went waste when Goa defenders Pol Moreno and Boris Singh combined to thwart the striker just before he could aim at goal.At the other end, Drazic’s through ball for Nemil should have been converted. Instead, the forward’s attempt to cut past the onrushing keeper didn’t end well.The frustration all-around was understandable. But in first half added time, Nemil showed just why he’s rated so high. Receive the ball, look up, aim, shoot. A wonderful long-range strike and it was all over inside the first half, never mind those memories of Mumbai’s famous comeback with three goals in six late minutes two years ago, in the semifinals, at the same venue.
