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The quest for NorthEast United’s first win still continues as FC Goa comprehensively defeated them 3-1 in front of a full house home crowd. Goa coach Zico fielded a team with five changes while NEUFC decided to go ahead with an unchanged squad.
It was an action-packed first half which saw 3 goals being scored, but unfortunately for the home side, it was FC Goa who had the upper hand towards the end of half.
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Much to the joy of the home fans, NEUFC started on an energetic note with multiple attacks within the first few minutes of the game. Two minutes into the game, Argentine Nicholas Velez charged into the box, but went too deep and the home team had to settle for a corner.
Meanwhile for FC Goa, forward Reinaldo and Sabeeth started with their own series of attacks, but both the players were caught offside within the first 10 minutes of the game.NorthEast continued their attacking play, pressurizing the Goa defensive line who are now missing their marquee player Lucio. Sanju Pradhan came up with a dangerous cross in the 8th minute, only for Kamara to miss.
NEUFC, however, were rewarded for their attacking gameplay as the home team scored the first goal of the match in the 12th minute. Local boy Pradhan sneaked the ball past his marker and crossed it beautifully for Dadzie to head the ball home.
Sanju was undoubtedly the most impressive player for the home team in the first half, having created five crosses and also assisting the only goal scored. He alongside Silas in the centre and Velez upfront created a lot of trouble for the visitors, but only till the 30th minute of the game.
Captain Hengbart was looked very good in the backline having blocked quite a few dangerous moves by the FC Goa forward line. Defender Regan Singh also showed his spark in the field as he curled in a long ball from the left flank in the 21st minute which missed the net by a fraction.
But this performance of NEUFC lasted only till the 28th minute when Brazilian Lucca scored the equalizer for FC Goa. Winger Sabeeth charged on into the box and centered the ball for Jofre. The Goan midfielder keeps his composure and laid the ball for the onrushing Jonatan Lucca, who bends it from the edge of the box and into the left corner of the net.
This came as a blow for NEUFC as they went completely astray of its formation, giving Goa further opportunity to pressurize the home team. And they rightly took the opportunity as two minutes after the equalizer Reinaldo gave FC Goa the lead with his second goal of the season. It was Jofre who ran in from the right but his shot was blocked by Cedric Hengbart; but the deflected ball moved towards the penalty spot. Reinaldo got to it first and put in a diving effort to shoot with his right foot and into the net. The first half ended 1-2 in favour of FC Goa.
Both the managers fielded unchanged teams in the second half. Reagan Singh again took charge for the home team as he attempted his second long ranger in the 52nd minute, only for him to miss again.
The visitors, however, were absolutely brilliant in their counter attacks as they showed in the 55th minute when Reinaldo crossed in dangerously, only for Sabeeth to miss.
NEUFC made quite a few attempts on the goal, but the lack of a finisher which haunted them last season, seems to be following them even this time. Goa meanwhile continued their run of counter attacks giving a busy NEUFC goalkeeper Gennaro a busy game. The French goalkeeper made two close saves in a span of five minutes, one from Jofre and the later one being Reinaldo’s strike.
Goa was rewarded with their third goal in the 70th minute, which also came off a counter attack. It was super-sub Mandar Desai who came off the bench to replace Jofre in midfield, who calmly netted the ball in, off a brilliant Leo Moura assist.
Meanwhile, the quest for a goal continued for NEUFC. In the 77th minute, the Argentine forward Velez came really close to scoring as the corner taken by Silas came directly to him, but the striker put his shot over the post. The problem that looked persistent for NEUFC all though out the match is that none of the forwards attempted shots at the goal. It looked like all of them lacked confidence to attempt shooting and instead kept passing, even inside the box.
Goa meanwhile had chances to further extend their lead, but luck failed them. In the 78th minute Manhar came really close, only for his shot to hit the post. While, the struggle for NEUFC continued, but the lack of a clinical performance in the forward line denied them a goal.
There were no further goals scored in the match and Zico’s boys now fly to Kochi with a happy 3 points in their kitty.
