FC Goa 5-1 NorthEast United: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | ISL 2018-19

A five-star performance at the Fatorda Stadium by FC Goa saw them thrash Northeast United and move back to the top 4. After the first 45 minutes turned out to be a bore fest, Sergio Lobera's side upped the ante and struck five past a formidable NorthEast outfit.

Goals from Coro (2), Edu Bedia, Hugo Boumous and Miguel Palanca Fernandez fueled the Fatorda crowd's excitement. For the away side, star man Ogbeche bagged the consolatory goal in the 90th minute.

Meanwhile, Coro is now joint-top highest goal scorer in the ISL, with Ian Hume. While the former Kerala Blasters forward has taken over 60 appearances to do so, FC Goa's talisman has only taken 29 matches to achieve the same feat.

A first half that tested neither goalkeepers, a couple of turning points and a late flurry of goals summed up the outing between these two powerhouses.

On that note, let's take a look at the major talking points from FC Goa's remarkable 5-1 win over NorthEast United.

---

#1 Both sides use different dynamics, Goa begin positively

It was a different approach by both sides

Very rarely would one see such contrasting approach by two top managers of two top teams. Both FC Goa and NorthEast are very much in the mix as far as the race for the top 4 is concerned, but both managers used unique game plans heading into the game.

The hosts began proceedings with more purpose and urgency, as envisioned. Full-backs Mandar and Seriton Fernades constantly darted down the final third and offered a larger attacking threat. The latter especially had a couple of clear chances to run at acres of space.

In the midfield, the visitors were completely outplayed. Pressing coupled with quicker movement off the ball aided their stratagem, while NorthEast had large gaps between their defensive and offensive lines.

On one side, the Gaurs aimed to establish control over the match, build on possession, penetrate through the same and attempt to score. On the contrary, Eelco Schattorie's side tried to burst through the channel with long balls, feed it to Ogbeche and hit Goa on the counter.

Thus, two contrasting methods were unleashed.

#2 The first half turned out to be a bore fest

Coro created a few passes, but couldn't score

The first 45 minutes took an age to finish, as neither sides managed a shot on target. There were attempts from both teams, but none of the chances were converted.

FC Goa conducted one-way traffic but failed to capitalize on them. They recycled possession, racked up passes tried their best to apply a finishing touch. Jackichand Singh endured an inconsistent first half, as he picked up the right positions but didn't fabricate a telling pass. Often, from dangerous advanced positions, he threw away his chance and his first-half performance summed up Goa's first half as well.

As the minutes passed, the creativity did too. Players got static and a lack of movement from them killed the excitement of the game as there is no point of keeping the ball if the forwards aren't on the move.

NorthEast meanwhile, did more of the defending and only mustered a couple of efforts on goal. They too, contributed to a nondescript first 45 minutes.

#3 Poor officiating affects football, once again

A season full of mistakes for the officials

Not for the first time this season, the referee got a decision completely wrong. To say the very least, unbelievably wrong.

The second half began the same way first half unfolded - scrappy and at times, lacklustre. While Goa's problems in front of goal continued, NorthEast were left starving for possession.

The talking point, rather, talking points, were not constructed by the players but the match officials. A corner taken by the visitors was handled by Carlos Pena. What was the centre-half thinking when he leapt that high with his arms in the air? That was a blatant penalty.

Had that been given, the storyline might have been different for the Highlanders.

Minutes later, Goa took the lead and never looked back from there. Jackichand Singh was played through the right flank and he, characteristically, put the ball into the box. The goal was well-taken, but Jacki was arguably offside.

Yet again, Goa had the slice of luck. One would feel for the NorthEast, but we must understand that this brand of refereeing is swerving and affecting the outcomes of many matches and is ultimately hurting football. This cannot happen every single day in the ISL.

#4 Coro breaks his goal-drought, Edu Bedia's strike seals the deal, Boumous and Coro turn comfortable to comprehensive

Brace yourself, Coro is back!

After a controversial decision that went Goa's way, down the other end, the opposition's defence cracked open, with Jackichand Singh ready to run at it. He did exactly that and produced a fantastic cross. With Coro attacking it, you knew what was going to happen next! After 373 minutes, the Spaniard found the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, Boumous played Bedia through. The play maker skipped past an onrushing Gurwinder and with all the composure in the world, chipped it above the opposition shot-stopper.

Just a couple of minutes later, Hugo Boumous opened up a tired NorthEast defence with a tap in; the ball played in by Brandon Fernandes.

Boumous was again in the thick of action when he drove forward with the ball, avoided a challenge and setup another for Coro. Palanca's last-minute goal put the icing on the cake as Goa restored their dynamism.

#5 Does confidence play a huge role in the ISL?

Sergio Lobera's team looked far from their best until the first goal

Till Coro's technically perfect first goal, FC Goa recycled possession, tried to break through the lines, but were far from their best. Not only did they surrender the ball cheaply, but also made a mess out of the defensive setup at times.

They relied on a few moments of fortune, but once Coro broke the deadlock, the orange-and-white army looked a different opposition altogether. In the blink of an eye, any doubts over the team's goal-scoring problems, their chances to qualify and the rest were put to bed.

Out of nowhere, Goa started to appear like the FC Goa of old. They oozed confidence and conviction. In a span of few minutes, Coro and co. put the result beyond NorthEast's reach. Does confidence play such a huge role in shaping a team's outcomes?

All of FC Goa's fatigue vanished after the goal. Quite staggering, isn't it?