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FC Goa thrash NorthEast United FC 3-0 in their home gameFC Goa won their last home game in the Indian Super League against NorthEast United FC with ease to move up in the league table to the second position. First half strikes from Romeo Fernandes and Miroslav Slepicka and Andres Santos’ second half goal sealed the match for the home team. FC Goa dominated the entire game and never lost grip over the match. NorthEast United FC yet again failed to create goal scoring opportunities.Ricki Herbert’s boys now have no other option, but to win their last two ties to stand a chance of qualifying for the semi-final.Here are the first 5 talking points from today’s match.
#1 Indian player scores the 100th goal of the tournament
Local boy, Romeo Fernandes scored the 100th goal of the match to give his team the lead in the 33rd minute of the match. The first goal of the tournament was scored by Atletico De Kolkata’s Ethiopian striker Fikru Teferra Lemessa. The 50th goal was scored by Kolkata’s marquee Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia. The third milestone now has been touched by an Indian player. Romeo played brilliant football throughout the match and he was also gifted with the Hero of the match award.
#2 FC Goa dominated the entire game in style
The home team FC Goa dominated the game from the very beginning. They utilized both the wings superbly. Both their Indian wingers, Mandar Rao Desai and Romeo Fernandes had a great match. Also, their Brazilian marquee player Andres Santos did a commendable job in controlling the midfield.
All the three goals were scored from brilliant team work and the opponent was just no match for Zico’s men. FC Goa played their last home game today in the league stage and their fans can go back home proudly after seeing their team’s fantastic job on the field.
#3 NorthEast United FC failed to create any clear chances yet again
North East United FC won their previous encounter against Chennaiyin FC with ease. They looked a much better side last week at their home turf. But today they were back to square one. They had plenty of players in the midfield as Ricki Herbert opted for a 3-5-2 formation, but NorthEast failed to dominate on that position. FC Goa got ample spaces throughout the game in the midfield area and they capitalized it confidently.
Ricki Herbert fielded English striker James Keene, but that did not help their cause. The ex-Portsmouth man was wasteful. The home team fielded a makeshift centre-back duo of Bruno Pineiro and Gregory Arnolin. Even then, Herbert’s side failed to capitalise.
#4 FC Goa remain unbeaten in 6 consecutive games
FC Goa won their third consecutive game and remained unbeaten in their last 6 matches. Zico’s team struggled in the initial stages of the game and was even placed at the bottom position in the league due to their poor show. But now they have regrouped well and showed confidence in their approach. They are performing superbly and scoring a lot of goals in almost every match. FC Goa have climbed up to the second position in the league table and are almost certain to make it to the semi final.
#5 NorthEast now face an uphill task to qualify for the semi final spot
NorthEast United looked hopeful of qualifying to the semi final stage with their strong performance against league toppers Chennaiyin FC in their last game. But with today’s heavy defeat they have gone down to sixth position with 13 points from 12 matches. They have one home and one away game left in their Hero Indian Super League campaign. They have no other option but to win their rest of the matches to stand a chance of qualifying for the semi final. It will be an uphill task for Ricki Herbert’s men to make it to the knock-out stage.
