5 Talking Points: FC Goa 1-1 FC Pune City

FC Pune City lived on the edge, but still managed to garner one point with a 1-1 draw against FC Goa in the Hero Indian Super League, in Margao on Friday. This one point helped the David Platt coached side to hold on to the top position in the second edition of the ISL with 13 points. Thanks to Eugeneson Lyngdoh who nodded home in the 64th minute.FC Goa went ahead early in the second half when Romeo’s cross was directed into his own goal from close range by Roger Johnson. The home side’s utter dominance seemed to be paying off until the visitors emerged out of the blue to nick a point.Here are the 5 major talking points of the game:All images in this slideshow are sourced from the ISL.

#1 Lyngdoh\'s inspired strike

Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s 64th minute headed goal was without doubt one of the best strikes in this edition of the championship so far. Eugene as he is fondly called by his teammates leaped before nodding home Kalu Uche’s cross from the right wing after they were 0-1 down.

It was a suicidal touch by their defender Roger Johnson, who otherwise was outstanding in the defence for the visitors, that left them trailing in the first place. Eugeneson, an engineering drop out, was always lurking up in the front for the Pune team, and after some of the chances were begging for his team in the first session, he came up with an outstanding header to level the score for his side.

The goal not only brought FC Pune City right back into the game but it also swung the momentum in their favour and they looked more threatening after they had opened their account at Fatorda stadium.

#2 A mixed night for Roger Johnson

FC Pune City defender Roger Johnson was the envy of the large Goan crowd and the FC Goa players alike. He came up with some spectacular defending and most outstanding was the goalline save he made in the 7th minute of the game.

It was Goa’s Haokip who beat the Pune custodian Steve Simonsen and tapped the ball goalward, but Roger Johnson made a clearance at the last possible minute to avert what could have been the match-winner going by the manner the Goans were dominating.

However, all his good work was overshadowed when he helped Goa take the lead with a own goal. In his bid to avert the danger to his goal the lanky Englishman only managed to beat his own keeper Johnson. But thanks to Eugene that was forgotten as the lad found an equalizer for the visitors.

#3 Platt\'s hesitation could have cost FC Pune City

Pune striker Bikash Jairu was left wanting on all grounds. The pint-sized Sikkim player could not match the challenge of the rival defenders, especially, the Brazilian Luciano Sabrosa who outplayed him on all grounds.

The lanky Brazilian at times even smiled while outpacing Jairu. And it was opined that Platt would replace the youngster when they came back after the break, which was not to be. The coach wanted to give the budding player some rope before he thought enough is enough and after 15-odd minutes in the second session and replaced him with Jackichand Singh.

This change made difference for the side as the Jacki along with Dharmaraj Ravanan and Lenny Rodrigues changed the complexion of the game. Platt’s hesitation in making the change at half-time could have crucially cost FC Pune City the initiative they needed to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and go on to win it.

#4 Attack the best form of defence for FC Pune City

Leo Moura and Romeo Fernandes were outstanding for the hosts FC Goa, They thwarted the FC Pune City defence time and again, but the stubborn Simonsen along with Roger Johnson stood between them and the goal, and to some extent even the crossbar came to the Pune team's rescue.

It in the 17th minute when Mandar's right-footer kissed the cross bar before going out to the relief of the Pune side. Mandar was outstanding among the others. His cool manner of cutting through the Pune defence was a treat to watch.

It wasn’t just Mandar, the whole Goan attack looked like they would score with every foray forward until FC pune City began to turn on some of their own football. IN their case attack seemed to be the best form of defence.

#5 Platt was saving Lenny for this game

Did David Platt keep Lenny Rodrigues from playing previous games to keep him fit for this encounter? Lenny who was injured after their Kolkata match in Pune did not play the next two one each Chennai, their first away and their home counter against Kerala Blasters.

When asked if he could be available for the Goa match, David smiled after their 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters. This was a clear indication that the former Manchester City assistant coach Platt, did have his plans in place. However, Lenny was not at his best but came up in patches.

Lenny has been one of the main play makers for the side. And his absence in the last two game did make some differences, but their skipper Zokora did made up for Lenny’s absence.

There were just three changes in David Platt's side with Roger Johnson, Dharmaraj Ravanan and Lenny Rodrigues coming in for Gurjinder Singh, Diego Colotto and Pritam Kotal, from the side that played Kerala Blasters, while Zico took made six changes.

The Brazilian did have reasons as there were many players on his injury list. Laxmikant Kattimani, Narayan Das, Raju Gaikwad, Pronay Halder, Victorino Fernandes and the injured Darryl Duffy were left out and Elinton Andrade, Lucio, Romeo Fernandes, Mandar Desai, Joaquim Abranches and Thongkhosiem Haokip were called in to fill the first eleven, which did pay off.