A goalkeeper fumble, a controversial penalty and a fine but unlucky display of attacking football in the second half – these were the main highlights as North East United FC and FC Goa play out a 1-1 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The hosts came back from behind courtesy a Koke penalty after poor goalkeeping ushered Goa into the lead early in the first half.
Dominant NorthEast United FC held to a 1-1 draw by FC Goa
The first good chance of the match went to the hosts as they got a free-kick in the 9th minute. Capdevila’s kick took an evil deflection and Goa goalkeeper moved well to tip it away.
NorthEast midfielder Isaac Chansa was showed a yellow card in the 16th minute for his second foul on Robert Pires and the free-kick resulted in the opening goal. Rehenesh, playing in place of Tzorvas, spilled the Santos’ free-kick. Gregory Arnolin’s shot hit the post and a poor clearance allowed him to slot the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
The match went on quietly with both teams cancelling each other out until the 36th minute. Debabrata Roy made a slight contact to the back of NorthEast’s Robin Gurung while clearing the ball and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Koke stepped up to equalize through the controversial penalty and made it 1-1.
The first half concluded with a wide shot from Pires and Martin’s shot straight at Rehenesh.
The home team started the second half strongly creating chances and troubling FC Goa. In the 54th minute, Mtonga played in a dangerous ball across the face of the goal but Do couldn’t make a contact. Just before the hour mark, Mtonga flicked the ball first time to Chansa but he shot the ball wide.
Substitute Edgar Marcelino for the visitors almost made an immediate impact as his vicious shot was saved well by Rehenesh in the 69th minute.
Just 2 minutes later, Ranti scored off Miranda’s cross but was rightly judged offside and Goa escaped again. Do forced another great save from Seda in the 73rd minute as his powerful shot was heading for the top corner.
NorthEast kept up the pressure and attacked well but failed to convert their chances and Goa would feel lucky to get a point from this match.
Tags: FC Goa, Football, Hero Indian Super League, Hero ISL, Indian Football, Indian Super League, ISL, NorthEast United FC
