"We need to win atleast one of the remaining two games," stresses Goa's Mandar Rao Desai

Dessai dribbles past Sunil Chhetri in a previous match (Image courtesy ISL)

For FC Goa, this last fortnight in the second edition of the Hero Indian Super League has resembled the proverbial sine curve. From thrashing Mumbai City FC 7-0 to going down 0-4 to Atletico de Kolkata. Going in to last night’s home game thus against the resurgent North East United FC, Zico and his boys hoped to regain lost momentum and build on some form ahead of the play-off’s.

And while they couldn't list a win, a late equaliser from Reinaldo ensured they didn't exit the pitch empty handed and in process rose above Delhi Dynamos to second in the points table.

After the game, a lot of the fans exiting the Jawahar Lal Stadium here in Goa talked about the contribution from wingers CS Sabeeth and Mandar Rao Desai, who put in crosses to consistently pose a threat at the Highlanders defence.

As the ISL media team caught up with the Dessai, the local boy expressed relief about the result, “It was an important game for us. Last game we lost 4-0, so a win from this one was crucial. Anyway, one point is okay.”

Considering this was their first home fixture after the thrashing of Mumbai City FC, the team surprisingly looked subdued. Talking about that, he said, “From the first half, we had been creating a lot of chances but we lacked the finishing skills. We should have converted those chances.”

Also this was their last match at home in the league stage; playing down the away factor in the crucial last couple of games, he added, “We have the same plan every game. This league is short and all teams are great, with each team going neck-and-neck at this stage. So at least a win from these two games is crucial.”

While the chants of “Mandar-mandar” echoed in the background, he signed off with a line about his own performance, “I want to improve my game day by day. I’m trying to perform better. But more than scoring a goal, I’m trying my best to help my team win games. Hopefully that will keep happening.”