FC Goa 2-0 NorthEast United FC: 3 reasons why the Gaurs beat the Highlanders

FC Goa played host to NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League's match number 54. The Gaurs were looking to cement their place at the top of the table. NorthEast United FC was desperate to get back to winning ways after failing to taste victory in their last five games.

With both teams looking to get their first win of the new year, both sides started the game on an aggressive note. FC Goa though was quick to take control of the game as they kept mounting pressure on the NorthEast United goal. The first half came to an end with the scoreboard reading 0-0.

The second half started on a similar note as the first half. It was the 68th minute when FC Goa finally broke the deadlock courtesy an own goal from Highlanders defender Mislav Komorski. Ferran Corominas made it 2-0 for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute. to seal the result The game ended with the scoreboard reading 2-0 in favour of the hosts.

With this victory, Sergio Lobera's side cemented their place at the top of the table while NorthEast United FC is languishing in seventh place.

On that note, let us take a look at three reasons why FC Goa beat NorthEast United FC on the night.

#3 No Kai Heerings and Asamoah Gyan for NorthEast United FC

NorthEast United FC were depleted and felt the loss of key players. (Image: ISL)

Two of the most effective and influential players this season for NorthEast United FC this season were missing from the game against FC Goa.

The Highlanders missed their main and only striker Asamoah Gyan today. Gyan has been their go-to man this season for goals and without him NorthEast United FC looked lost when it came to hunting for goals.

Kai Heerings, on the other hand, has been the rock in their defence and playing Goa without Kai was an arduous task for Robert Jarni sides.

Even though the young Indian brigade of NorthEast United held tight in the first half, they were unable to keep the resistance going in the second half.

Without Gyan, NorthEast United literally played the game without a proper striker with the likes of Rupert Nongrum trying to deputise for the Ghanaian star.

Kai's absence meant that Jose Leudo partnered Komorski in defence which didn't have the required effect as the latter conceded an own goal while Leudo was sent off.

Overall, NorthEast United FC looked a disjointed unit without two of their crucial players in the side.

#2 FC Goa midfield domination makes the difference

It was Jackichand'Singh's cross that led to the first goal. (Image: ISL)

FC Goa has been a force to reckon for the past few seasons under Sergio Lobera. One of the main strengths that FC Goa has is their midfield. They have the capability of dominating any Indian Super League side without breaking a sweat.

The five men in midfield which includes Lenny Rodrigues, Jackichand Singh, Hugo Boumous, Brandon Fernandes, and Ahmed Jahouh complement each other in a very well organised manner.

Brandon has been the player with the highest number of assists this season. Brandon has also shown that he has matured a lot and can play from a more deeper position if needed for the sake of the team.

The partnership of Lenny and Jahouh has been instrumental for FC Goa this season and so was the case today. Whatever little the likes of Gallego and Chaves tried to do today was expertly stopped by Lenny and Jahouh.

Jackichand and Brandon were brilliant down the flanks and kept the NorthEast United wing-backs occupied in defence. It was Jackichand's cross which was eventually deflected into the net by Komorski for an own goal. Brandon's tendency to exchange position with Boumous was something that kept the Highlanders guessing.

The five in midfield also set up some delicious balls for the Coro upfront. With 68% of the ball, the FC Goa completely dominated the game today.

The way the Goa midfield supported their defence at times is also praiseworthy.

#1 Mismanagement from NorthEast United FC

NorthEast United FC looked disjointed against FC Goa. (Image: ISL)

When the team list came out today, the first question that cropped up in my mind was who is going to play up front as the team list didn't have a proper striker included in it.

Playing Rupert Nongrum who has been out for more than a year as the striker was a choice that Robert Jarni had to make as he didn't have any other option available to him. NorthEast United FC let go off Argentine striker Maximiliano Fabian Barreiro in November and then in December, the Highlanders didn't renew star winger Panagiotis Triadis' contract which was over on 31st December.

With two foreign signings leaving the club the coach and fans expected the club to sign a replacement as soon as the transfer window opened but even after a week of the transfer window opening NorthEast United has failed to sign a striker. Now the team is in such a position that they have only one proper striker in Gyan who is out injured.

Robert Jarni is someone who has been vocal about his preferred tactics and his love for the 4-2-3-1 system. In the 4-2-3-1 system the way he plays he needs a proper striker typically a big physical striker who can score. He has also said if needed he could shift to a 4-3-3 but in both cases, he needs another striker to back up marquee man Asamoah Gyan who has been suffering from injury issues of late. As the situation stands, the only other striker available for NorthEast United could be their reserve team local Guwahati lad Deepu Mridha.

Robert Jarni has also failed to use the resources available to him properly as the likes of Puitea, Redeem, Mawia and Chaves along with Gallego were often seen out of ideas in the field.