In a match that saw fortunes swing like a pendulum, FC Goa and North East United Football Club (NEUFC) played a 3-3 draw, in what could be termed fast-paced football in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Friday.
FC Goa suffered an early blow through Spaniard Nestor Albiach Roger of NEUFC, who after a fine run from the right wing, got the better of at least three FC Goa players, entered the penalty box and made no mistake in giving his team a goal’s advantage (1-0) in just the fifth minute of the match.
With a goal up, NEUFC pressed on looking for another chance, but FC Goa worked hard to get their first corner and had the first shot at goal through Odei Onaindia's header which went off the mark.
On the left wing, FC Goa's Aakash Sangwan combined well with Serbian Dejan Drazic to make forays into the North East citadel. In the 13th minute, Ayush Chhetri made an attempt but there was no real challenge for the NEUFC goalkeeper. If Nestor, who was adjudged player of the match, played a big part in the drawn match, Dragic showed fine form for Goa.
While FC Goa pressed on, it was NEUFC that came dangerously close to scoring in the 28th minute but the ball sailed into the safe hands of FC Goa goalkeeper Laximikanth Kattimani, who was making his 100th appearance in the Indian Super League.
From the 37th minute onwards, FC Goa started putting pressure and came dangerously close to scoring when Armando Sadiku missed the net from close range. In the 39th minute, NEUFC too created a chance through their fast-footed player Jithin M S.
The game was evenly poised with both teams making forays into each other’s territories. But it was FC Goa whose hard work paid off, when in the 44th minute Dejan Drazic was brought down in the penalty box by Mohammed Ali Bemammer and the referee wasted no time in awarding the penalty kick.
Also, Armando Sadiku made no mistake in finding the right corner of the net to level the score 1-1 just before halftime, even as FC Goa fans raised the decibel levels in the stadium.
The second half started on a positive note for FC Goa as just two minutes into the game Armando Sadiku struck home in the 47th minute. But FC Goa's joy was short-lived when Nestor Roger struck again for NEUFC in the 51st minute. The scoreboard read 2-2.
Soon after their match-equalling goal, North East struck gold with their third goal coming through in-form Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie who made it 3-2. After this goal, the NEUFC players started combining well and creating chances.
However, the NEUFC juggernaut was challenged by Goan lad Brison Fernandes who looked dangerous on many occasions. In the last 15 minutes, Goa started turning the tide against NEUFC and their efforts finally paid off in additional time when Borja Herrera shot home in the 93rd minute to equalise 3-3, four minutes before the final whistle.
The team's homecoming in Fatorda would have ended in a defeat if not for Herrera who once again rose to the occasion. The Spaniard is now the leader of the ISL 2024-25 Golden Boot charts, after scoring what was his fourth goal in four matches so far.
Following the hard-fought draw, FC Goa are currently in fourth place on the standings, with 5 points. The Men in Orange will now look to regroup during the international break before facing Mumbai City FC in another home clash on October 19.