ISL 2015: FC Goa hold impressive NorthEast United FC to 1-1 draw

Reinaldo scored from an exquisite Leo Moura assist as they drew level late in the second half

FC Goa missed out on an opportunity to go to the top of the ISL 2015 table as they were held to 1-1 draw by NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa tonight.

Nigerian Victor Mendy gave the visitors the lead in the 56^th minute as he turned in a powerful header past the Goan keeper from aa corner from Simao. FC Goa managed to equalize in the 80^th when Reinaldo lashed home a low shot from arguably the assist of the season coming from the head of ‘Hero of the Match’ Leo Moura who incidentally collected his sixth assist of the season joining Delhi’s Florent Malouda as top assist makers this season.

While Goa missed out on the top spot, NorthEast United did their chances of making the semi-finals no harm as they jumped into the top four with today’s result.

First Half

With one eye on a semi-final spot, Coach Zico made four changes to his artistic Goa side and adopted a back three. North East, on the other hand, made five alterations to their lineup. Prior to today, Cesar Farias’s men had lost just once in their last five matches and looked self-assured heading into this one.

It was the away side who had the first real chance to take the lead. Goa keeper, Kattimani failed to punch the ball away from a corner. The resulting loose ball fell kindly for Lopez. With an almost open goal to aim at, the Argentine’s header was cleared off the line by Brazilian, Leo Moura.

The tempo in tonight’s game was red hot with both teams engaging in end to end stuff right from the word go. Kattimani almost embarrassed himself in the ninth minute. In an attempt to clear the ball, his shot went straight at Bruno who had no time to react as it came off his body and straight back into the keepers hands. The Highlanders had to replace striker Dadzie twenty minutes into the first half due to a pulled muscle.

Keeper, Kattimani continued to be the protagonist for all the wrong reasons in the first half. Peradhan’s low drive from distance was initially stopped well by him, but he fumbled and failed to collect the ball. Thankfully for him, Raju Gaikwad was there to clear the mess. As much as Goa has looked stellar going forward this season, their defense has been tested far too much for Zico’s liking and tonight was no different.

Goa’s Jonathan Lucca then made one of the finest tackles of the tournament. From the left wing, Raju released the ball for the marauding Bruno. Just as the Spaniard was about to let loose, Lucca slid in to block his shot which was most definitely heading towards goal.

Second Half

North East started the second half in fine fashion. Simao whipped in an inch-perfect corner from the left. Defender, Hengbart rose highest, but his header came off the crossbar. Kattimani was well beaten there. The Gaurs immediately worked an attack of their own. Dudu laid a pass for Mandar whose stinging shot from outside the box was parried away by keeper, Rehenesh.

With a swivel of the hips, Lucca then unleashed one from distance which was again blocked well by Rehenesh. Goa reverted to a back four in the second half and understandably so since the away side found a lot of joy down the wings in the first half.

But North East still managed to strike first from a corner. Simao sent in a floater from the right and substitute, Victor Mendy rose highest to head it down past Kattimani who had no chance whatsoever.

That goal looked to have rejuvenated the Gaurs as they looked much more like the home side. Down the left wing, Mandar caused a host of problems for NorthEast. Only some incisiveness seemed to be missing for Goa.

Sanju Pradhan was replaced for NorthEast in the sixty-fifth minute. The 26 six-year-old was arguably the most impactful player for the Highlanders. He was a livewire for the entire time. The diminutive winger looked quick and full of intent when going forward and didn’t neglect his defensive duties too.

Reinaldo gave the dejected looking home crowd a huge lift as he found the elusive equalizer in the 80th minute following a slick move. A cross from the right wing found Leo Moura’s head. The Brazilian did brilliantly to lay it off to Reinaldo who blasted his shot past keeper, Rehenesh. That was Moura’s sixth assist of the season. North East looked wobbled after that goal as the noise levels in the stadium reached fever pitch in the final five minutes.

The home team held on to clinch a point at the expense of the visitors to register a 1-1 draw at Fatorda.