The 4th consecutive draw in the Hero Indian Super League saw FC Goa and Northeast United FC share a point each courtesy of two first half goals.
Starting XI :
FC Goa :
Juan Ferrando surprised everyone as he chose to start with 3 overseas players in the attack. Jorge Ortiz Mendoza made a comeback to th starting XI to replace Redeem who was out due a 1 match suspension.
Nawaz (GK), Seriton, Ivan, Dohling, Savior, Edu, Lenny, Brandon, Alberto, Ortiz, Angulo
Northeast United FC :
Gerard Nus preferred early rotations as Provat Lakra, Idrissa Sylla and Britto PM got their first start of the season in place of Ashutosh Mehta, Kwesi Appiah and Ninthoi respectively. Lalengmawia was handed the captain’s armband.
Subhasish (GK), Lakra, Fox, Lambot, Gurjinder, Lalengmawia, Camara, Britto, Fanai, Luis, Sylla
Predictibly it was FC Goa who had the lion’s share of the ball, thanks to team’s midfield. A high intensity game began with an end to end action. Jorge Ortiz Mendoza registered the first shot on target of the game in the 5th minute but Subhashish Roy Chowdhury had it covered. A few seconds later Jorge released a shot through his right foot but Dylan Fox came at rescue for the Highlanders.
Northeast United looked to ‘too dangerous’ whenever they got near the opposition’s box through counter attacks from the flanks. In the 34th minute, a deflection from Edu Bedia found Sylla and the Guinean striker missed the target by inches.
3 minutes later, Northeast started a move, Lalengmawia found Britto who was clear on the right flank and the former Mohun Bagan forward delivered a great ball into the box towards Sylla who was brought down into the box by Ivan Gonzalez and the referee pointed to the spot. Idrissa Sylla converted the penalty in the first attempted but it has to retaken as Fanai entered the box before the kick was taken. Northeast United’s number 11 opened the scoring on the night as Northeast led 1-0.
However, FC Goa did not let Northeast maintain their lead, a brilliant pass from Brandon into the box and the man on the end of it was Igor Angulo who brought things back on level terms. The injury time of the first half saw both the teams with an attempt each. Brandon’s pass found Igor who headed wide. Mohammad Nawaz was brought into action courtesy of a fine free kick by Luis Machado in what was the last move of the first half.
Both the teams looked determined after the break but it was FC Goa who made the first move. A cross through the left flank again found Igor Angulo but yet again the Spanish target man headed wide. Jorge Ortiz Mendoza came in with long range effort but it was nothing to worry for the Highlanders disciplined defense.
From Northeast United FC it was Lalrempuia Fanai who attempted a long ranger but missed it altogether. With 10 minutes to play in the regulation time, Northeast United were awarded a free kick and Luis Machado once again made Nawaz react quickly as a free kick on target was denied by the FC Goa goalkeeper.
Alberto Noguera made the last attempt to find a goal in the match in the dying minutes that was denied by the woodwork. A solid display of heroic defending and some possession based football saw both the teams share a point each.
Hero of the Match :
Lalengmawia
The Indian Wonderkid had a night to remember as he became the youngest ever player to captain a Hero ISL side. He was present all over the pitch and displayed some fine skills in the middle of the park.