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“Yeh Diwali Football Wali” it was indeed as an exciting game took place between hosts FC Goa and visitors Atletico de Kolkata at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa amidst a cheerful atmosphere with the visitors coming out on tops with two second half strikes.
Andre Santos had put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute and as FC Goa was looking to consolidate the lead, Atletico Kolkata sprung a surprise with ISL debutant Cavin Lobo striking twice in the space of less than 15 minutes at the 71st minute mark and 84th minute mark to gift Atletico de Kolkata their third win of the season.
FC Goa began the proceedings with an unchanged squad, while Habas decided to tinker a little with his line-up, some forced, some tactical. Injured Luis Garcia was replaced by Cavin Lobo while Podany made way for returning Borja Fernades. Apoula took Subashish Roy Chowdhury’s position between the sticks as the visitors hoped to keep the momentum going.
Being the home side, the onus was on FC Goa to get going and they did just that, starting the more positive of the two sides with Kolkata prepared to play on the counter. The former Arsenal pair of Pires and Santos won free-kicks in dangerous positions, but Atletico de Kolkata were equal to it. They had a couple of opportunities to hit on the counter through Jofre and Cavin, but both sent their shots wide.
The moment of controversy struck in the 11th minute as an agitated Fikru had a slight headbutt on Gregory , but escaped a booking.
The contest started to even out and picked pace, but an injury to right back Denzil Franco saw Atletico de Kolkata’s defence stretched and with him lying on the ground, FC Goa pounced on the opportunity with Miranda sending in a ball into the centre to an onrushing Santos, helped by a cheeky touch from Martins, who then drove into the penalty box and struck a ferocious shot leaving the Atletico goalie with no chance to save, sending the home side ahead on the 21st minute mark.
In the wake of restoring parity, Atletico de Kolkata started to press and intercept higher up and drive through, but FC Goa were equal to it and the score remained put at half time.
There was no easy air between Gregory and Fikru as two got into a spat again after the half time whistle had gone with Fikru headbutting Gregory and playacting for a foul on him. Players from both team got together, but the referee decided to let it go.
The second half began with Atletico de Kolkata trying to crawl back into the game, but seemed rather tired and sluggish. . As the game was still being marred by ugly tackles flowing around, FC Goa went on the frontfoot to build upon their lead.
Debrata Roy and Andre Santos came perilously close to doubling the hosts lead with sharp attempts on goal, but failed to send it into the back of the net. Against the run of play, Kolkata went on a counter through their start striker Fikru who chipped the ball ahead of the two Goa defenders to find Cavin Lobo who took a couple of steps before thumping the ball into the back of the net in the 71st minute.
FC Goa tried to change it around and garner momentum into the game, but as they were searching a winner, Atletico de Kolkata hit again in the 84th minute courtesy of the debutant Lobo again who thumped a loosely cleared ball off a free kick with a cracking left footer in the top right corner of the goal.
FC Goa threw the last dice with Bruno Pinheiro coming on to inject energy, but despite several last gasp efforts, the hosts failed to restore parity and slumped to a second straight home loss.
