Agencies
FATORDA (GOA), NOVEMBER 25
FC Goa managed to strike late and secure a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday evening. Victory Mendy (55') gave the visitors the lead from a corner-kick before Reinaldo (80') drilled in the equaliser.
As many as five chances were in order for the visitors as A. Khongjee, Andre Bikey, S. Singh, Victor Mendy and the suspended Diomansy Kamara made way for Reagan Singh, Carlos Lopez, Simao Sobrosa, Silas and Sanju Pradhan.
Goa’s shot stopper Laxmikant Kattimani made a meal out of a simple clearance as his kick struck Bruno Herrero and luckily came back into his hands. Couple of minutes later, Victorino Fernandes’ cross found Reinaldo at the far post. The Brazilian’s contact was weak and Dudu's subsequent effort went over the bar as Rehenesh was beaten.
Dadzie limped off in the 20th minute due to a hamstring injury and in came Victor Mendy.
In the 23rd minute, Pradhan’s shot from distance was spilled by Kattimani and just as Bruno looked to get on the end of it, Gaikwad cleared the danger. However, the defender picked up an injury while making that clearance and was substituted for Debabrata Roy three minutes later.Five minutes into the second half and NorthEast could have taken the lead as Simao’s corner found Hengbart whose flick came off the crossbar. Goa looked to up the ante with a Jonathan Lucca drive which stung Rehenesh’s fingertips yet again from 30 yards out, but failed to bulge the net.
Mandar sent in an inch perfect cross into the danger area in the 63rd minute, but neither C.S Sabeeth nor Dudu Omagbemi could get their heads to it.
FC Goa finally leveled proceedings in the 80th minute, courtesy Reinaldo, after Pranoy Halder’s cross was cushioned towards Reinaldo by Leo Moura, who blasted it in.
NorthEast responded almost immediately after Siam Hangal switched onto his favourite foot but his effort skimmed the post.
Substitute Nicolas Velez scored the winner in the 87th minute. This was after he ran off the shoulder of Gregory and rounded off Kattimani after receiving a through ball from Narzary. However, the linesman wrongly deemed the Argentine to be in an offside position.
In the injury time, Velez played a through ball for Narzary whose tame effort from the left saw Kattimani keep his effort out.
The draw takes NorthEast United back into the top four position while Goa remain rooted to the second slot.
