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| NUFC players celebrate Koke’s goal against FC Goa, in Guwahati, on Sunday |
Guwahati: FC Goa held hosts North East United FC (NUFC) to a 1-1 draw in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Sunday.
French defender Gregory Arnolin, who scored for FC Goa in their first outing against Chennaiyin FC, found the mark again to put his side ahead in the 17th minute.
NUFC custodian Rehnesh TP fumbled to clear a freekick by Goa’s marquee player Robert Pires.
An alert Gregory, waiting inside the box, took a shot at goal that rebounded off the post but he was able to shoot it back at goal.
Gregory, however, then fouled overlapping defender Robin Gurung inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick in the 34th minute.
Spaniard Koke, who stepped in to take the spot kick, made no mistake in providing his side with the much-needed equaliser in the 35th minute. It also gave relief to the Sunday crowd who had packed the stadium.
Gregory and Koke have now scored two goals each in the tournament.
It was NUFC who caused the first adrenalin rush as early as in the eighth minute, when marquee player Joan Capdevila took a freekick from around 30 yards.
However, FC Goa’s Czech custodian Jan Seda did a fine job to stop it. They got another opportunity in the 31st minute. But, Zambian Isaac Chansa’s cross from the left flank, to an unmarked Do Dong-Hyun inside the box, was beyond the reach of Hyun.
Zodingliana Ralte’s 42nd minute corner found Kondwani Mtonga in a favourable position. However, the latter’s header was safely collected by Seda.
The visitors also created several openings for themselves. However, New Zealander Ricki Herbert’s side managed to knit the defence line tight after conceding the first goal.
The second half was a comparatively exciting affair, with the NUFC men making repeated inroads into the Goan territory.
With the teams switching sides, Do Dong-Hyun’s corner found substitute Seimein Doungel who headed towards the goal in the 61 st minute, but Seda made no mistake.
FC Goa’s Ranty Martins found the net in 70th minute only to be flagged offside. Dong-Hyun again tried a full blooded shot, but it was fisted away by Seda in the 72nd minute.
However, the 32,000-strong crowd missed watching state prodigy Holicharan Narzary of FC Goa. He didn’t get a chance to play on Sunday.
Gregory Arnolin was adjudged the Man of the Match and Robion Gurung the ISL emerging player.
But the NorthEast United FC manager Ricki Herbert on Sunday was disappointed for not logging full points despite dominating the show.
“It’s very disappointing that we could not leave the pitch without three points. We had the possession and played well throughout the match, but just could not do it in the end. All credit to the boys though… They played extremely well,” Herbert said.
“Everything was in our favour. The crowd was rooting for us... We will definitely not get this atmosphere in Mumbai,” the Kiwi said about the crowd.
Asked about replacing his regular goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas with TP Rehenesh, the coach said: “I have come to India to develop Indian football and thus, I am giving a chance to every Indian player. I’ll continue doing so in the remaining matches too.”
On fielding Durga Boro in the defence in the second half, Herbert said: “He is a versatile player and is comfortable in every role.” The coach, however, went on to add that the tournament fixture was a little hectic.
Teams
NUFC: Rehenesh TP, Miguel Garcia, Aiborlang Kongjee, Joan Capdevila (Luis Padilla, 75), Robin Gurung, Kondwani Mtonga, Isaac Chansa, Zodingliana Ralte (Seimeinlen Dougel, 60), Do Dong-Hyun (Tomas Josl, 87), Durga Boro, Koke.
FC Goa: Jan Seda, Debabrata Roy, Narayan Das, Youness Bengelloun, Grogory Arnolin, Robert Pires (Edgar Figueira, 67), Peter Carvalho, Gabriel Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Andre Santos (Bruno Pinheiro, 64), Ranty Martins (Miguel Herlein, 74).
Referee: David Gantar.
MoM: Gregory Arnolin
