Agencies
Guwahati, October 19
NorthEast United FC managed to comeback after being a goal down to share the spoils with FC Goa as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Indira Gandhi Atheltic Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday evening.
Gregory Arnolin scored his second goal in as many matches to put his side in an advantageous position only for the referee to award a controversial penalty which saw Koke convert from the spot to equalize in the first half.
Alexandros Tzorvas was rested with Rehnesh TP taking his place in between the sticks. Meanwhile, Miguel Garcia, Robin Gurung and Dong-Hyung Do were the other changes in place of Boithang Haokip, Milan Singh and James Keene.
Andre Santos made his debut for Zico’s side while Ranti Martins started as well for FC Goa. Clifford Miranda and Debabrata Roy also were included in the starting line-up.The home side had the first chance of the game in the sixth minute when Joan Capdevila’s free-kick took a wicked deflection which saw goalkeeper Jan Seda tip it on to the post.
Isaac Chansa’s second foul on Pires earned him a booking in the 16th minute. In the ensuing free-kick by Andre Santos’ effort saw Rehnesh spill the ball. Gregory Arnolin’s initial effort came off the crossbar and Zodingliana Ralte’s poor clearance once again allowed the FC Goa defender to slot the ball home.
The equalizer came in the 36th minute when referee D. Gantar controversially awarded a penalty to NorthEast United FC after Debabrata Roy’s made a slight contact to the back of Robin Gurung while clearing the ball. Koke dispatched the spot-kick sending the opposition custodian the wrong way.
Towards the end of the first half, Pires dragged his shot wide while Martins saw his attempt go straight into the keeper’s hands after being laid up by Santos.
Ricki Herbert’s team started strongly after the break with Koke and Dong-Hyun Do combining well. The Korean tested Seda’s resolve with a shot with the Czech custodian having to dive to his left to make the save.
Kondwani Mtonga squared the ball from the right which only needed a touch. Do’s did make in a slide but was inched away from slotting that into the back of the net.
Just before the hour mark, Mtonga’s first time flick released Chansa behind the opposition’s backline. However, the Zambian international failed to get his shot on target.
Substitute Edgar Marcelino combined well with Gabriel Fernandes and unleashed a venomous shot with Rehnesh, at full stretch, having to tip the ball out for a corner.
In the 71st minute, Martins scored from a Miranda cross but was rightly flagged offside. Two minutes later, Seda produced a wonderful save to deny Do as his shot seemed set to nestle into the net.
The final chance of the game befell the home team as Do sent in a ball for Chansa whose cross was collected by Seda in time to avert the danger with the NorthEast United attackers making a run into the box.
NorthEast United will be disappointed that they didn’t convert the several chances that came their way in the second half while FC Goa certainly need to improve in order to win their first game of the season.
