NorthEast United FC could not take any advantage of an injury and suspension torn FC Goa squad, as they catastrophically conceded a goal in injury time to lose the match 2-1.
Goa’s won, despite the fact that they started with nine Indians and were eventually down to 10 men in the 73rd minute after Sahil Tavora was shown the second yellow.
We dissect the performance of the players of this ISL encounter:
FC Goa
Laxmikant Kattimani - 8/10
When Goa played NorthEast United away, a match which the latter won 2-0, Kattimani made a huge blunder that cost Zico’s team the match. Today, however, he compensated for everything as his heroics led Goa to a scintillating win.
Wearing the captain’s armband, the goalkeeper led from behind as he shielded the countless NorthEast United attacks. He did well to stop Rowllin’s well-timed header and Katsumi Yusa’s brilliant free kick in the opening quarter of the first half. And towards the latter half, his tempo just increased.
Holding back the forward line of NorthEast United wasn’t easy, especially without Goa’s regular starters at the back. But Kattimani took everything on his shoulders as he punched and palmed every strong ball that came his way. The only goal he conceded off Seityasen Singh came due to a deflection.
Sanjay Balmuchu - 5/10
Playing in the centre back position, Sanjay Balmuchu did not make his presence felt. He did have some crucial interceptions, but could not contain the speed of Katsumi Yusa. Though NorthEast could not exploit the situations, there were several defensive lapses by Goa. A more central role here was expected from Balmuchu.
Raju Gaikwad - 6/10
A better game was expected of Goa’s centre backs and Gaikwad too wasn’t that impressive. The defender, however, did step up his game in the second half when he denied Velez and Cullen. After the equaliser, when NorthEast pressed hard, the FC Goa defender did not let things go out of hand as he made crucial interceptions in the 78th and 83rd minute.
Debabrata Roy - 5/10
Goa’s right back Debabrata Roy, also had an average game as he let his man past him on a few occasions. He often required more than one attempt to set things right. His name was only highlighted twice in the game, first when he blocked Velez’s header in the 14th minute and then in the 48th minute when he cleared a dangerous ball by Zokora that almost found Cullen in box.
Keenan Almeida - 5/10
On the other side of the defense line was Keenan Almeida, who too had a below par performance. He, however, was a little better than Debabrata, but his sloppiness and the booking cost him his rating. Almeida, time and again made dangerous slides to win back the ball from a dominating NorthEast United forward line.
Romeo Fernandes - 7/10
Romeo scored the winner and assisted the equaliser for the home team on the day. He did not link-up well with Robin Singh, but the only times they did, Goa scored. However, with the phase the team is going through, one would have expected more from the local boy. In the first half, he was easily dispossessed and was caught offside twice.
Matheus Trindade - 7/10
Matheus Trindade was one of the players who tried making an impact in the game early on but failed because of the lack of support from his teammates. The only goal the visitors scored came off an unfortunate deflection by Trindade.
The Brazilian crafted most of the Goan attacks, though none of them could be converted. He also intercepted a lot of opposition balls to build counters. One of the dangerous chances created by him came in the 32nd minute when he played a brilliant through ball for Robin Singh, which the forward failed to convert.
Mandar Rao Desai - 5/10
Another Goan with a disappointing performance was Mandar Rao Desai. Playing on the left wing, Desai wasn’t as fast as he was expected to be. His lacklustre performance was the reason why he was ultimately substituted by Zico in the 74th minute.
Sahil Tavora - 4/10
The defensive imperfectness for Zico continues as Sahil Tavora became the third player in two matches to be booked twice and shown the red card. The midfielder was rough and made careless mistakes and had to leave the field for a silly foul committed on NorthEast United’s goal scorer Seityasen Singh.
Rafael Coelho - 8/10
Brazilian Rafael Coelho was the most dangerous player for FC Goa. Most of the shots ‘on target’ for the home team came from Coelho’s end as he single-handedly tested the NorthEast defence. His incredible runs, like in the 36th minute, made it impossible for any defender to catch him. But unfortunately, he ended up hitting most of his shots straight into the hands of Subrata Pal.
Robin Singh - 6/10
Robin Singh was the most disappointing player for FC Goa, despite the fact that he contributed for both the goals. He scored one goal, and assisted the winner, but missed a golden opportunity in the 87th minute.
Playing with a half strength team, coach Zico would have had very high expectations from Robin.
NorthEast United
Subrata Pal - 6/10
Making his comeback after injury, Pal did not quite have a great night as he conceded two really silly goals. But there was nothing he could have done better to prevent them as both of them came from defensive lapses.
Reagan Singh - 5/10
Reagan Singh once again was disappointing, as he was weakest link in the NorthEast United’s backline. He fumbled, missed his marker and was also dispossessed easily. With him starting ahead of Nirmal Chettri and Robin Gurung, surely a lot was expected out of this NorthEast lad.
Mailson Alves - 6/10
The reason why Alves gets more than five on the scale is because he made a good use of his height and pace to press the NorthEast attack. The Brazilian, who was handed his first start of the season, drove from the back, which caused an imbalance in the NorthEast defence which eventually cost the away team the match.
Gustavo Lazzaretti - 7/10
Lazzaretti has been one of the key figures of the NorthEast defence and he continued his good form tonight. Against Goa, he was crucial in keeping Trindade quiet and intercepted a lot of crucial crosses. He also played further upfront today and made crosses for Velez and Singh.
Katsumi Yusa - 7/10
Yusa once again was the lead playmaker for the NorthEast as his pace and precision troubled the opposition thoroughly. He solely created a lot of chances but there was no one to convert them. His corners were brilliant and spot on, while the free kicks taken were immensely powerful and precise. It was sheer luck that none of his balls found the back of the net.
Rowllin Borges - 7/10
Rowllin Borges is one name who has consistently performed for NorthEast United and even against Goa he was exceptional. Today, he was seen in a different role as he played in an attacking role and threatened going forward. However, a couple of mistimed shots and passes did steal his thunder away. But his holding role yet again linked the Northeastern attack.
Didier Zokora - 6/10
Playing at his usual center back position for NorthEast United, the marquee player had a decent match. However, once he was taken off, one could sense the jitter in the NorthEast defence and the team eventually conceded that goal in the injury time.
Seityasen Singh - 6.5/10
The lone goal scorer for NorthEast United, Seityasen Singh is just recovering from an injury. He showed what he is capable of with a well-taken goal.
Holicharan Narzary - 5/10
It’s still a mystery why Narzary was told to play in a defensive position today. The Assam footballer is a useful midfielder, but he could not replicate the same performance as a defender. He was slow to tackle and turn and this eventually caused NorthEast to concede the equaliser.
Nicolas Velez - 4/10
For the hype that was created, Velez has been an absolute flop this season. In the absence of Alfaro, he was to lead the attack against Goa, a job which he miserably failed. Against Goa, he was unlucky as well as unimpressive.
Robert Cullen - 5/10
The Japanese started off well and made crucial crosses and in fact, he played better than his last appearances. But Cullen once again failed to make his presence felt in the ground and fizzled out towards the end.
