ISL 2025-26: Drazian attack earns FC Goa three points against SC Delhi

Dejan Drazic’s first-half strike proved decisive as FC Goa edged past Sporting Club Delhi 1-0 to register its second successive win of the 2025-26 Indian Super League season at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, in Goa on Thursday.

The Gaurs provisionally climbed to the top of the table with seven points from three matches, while SC Delhi remains at the bottom. Drazic was named Player of the Match.

FC Goa head coach Manolo Márquez made one change to his starting line-up, giving Ishan Pandita the nod up front in place of Muhammed Nemil.

Delhi head coach Tomasz Tchorz, meanwhile, made three changes, with Nora Fernandes starting in goal for Vishal Yadav, Ayush Adhikari coming into midfield in place of Mohammed Aimen and Alex Saji replacing Clarence Fernandes in defence.

Both sides had periods of pressure in the opponent’s half, but clear openings were few and far between as neither attack was able to undermine either side’s resolute defense for long periods.

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Sandesh Jhingan came closest to the hosts when he fired a header narrowly wide of the target. At the other end, Matija Babović tried his luck from distance, forcing Hrithik Tiwari to clear the effort before Abdul Hudu also tested the goalkeeper.

FC Goa broke the deadlock two minutes before half-time with a well-taken goal by Drazic. Left back Akash Sangwan delivered a curling cross from the left wing to the far post, where Drazic timed his run to perfection, finishing clinically past the goalkeeper to score his third goal of the season.

The home side had a chance to double their lead on the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty after SC Delhi midfielder Ayush was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. However, Drazic, who took his third penalty in as many games, failed to capitalize and blasted his effort over the bar.

The Gaurs continued to pile on the pressure in search of a second goal but were denied by some resolute defending against the visitors. Their best chance came just before the water break when Ayush Chhetri’s effort was cleared off the line by Rafael Ribeiro. Moments later, Ribeiro had the chance to score from a corner, but his towering header drifted wide of the goal.

The home side played the final quarter by retaining possession and securing the one-goal lead. Lihat juga wsx4. Tchorz made changes in search of an equalizer but his side struggled to create clear chances to trouble the goalkeeper as FC Goa secured another hard-fought three points.

Published on February 26, 2026