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NorthEast United held FC Goa to a 2-2 draw in Sunday's ISL encounter. The visitors came back twice to level proceedings and damaged Goa's pursuit for a spot in the top 4.
Once again, Sergio Lobera's men paid the price for being vulnerable at the back while the Highlanders made most of their opportunities. Here are the major talking points from tonight's match.
#1 Laxmikant Kattimani continues to be a liability
Since the ISL season began, FC Goa's goalkeeper has time and again, compromised his team's position, making numerous mistakes between the sticks. Tonight, he almost gifted the Highlanders a goal early on, as he failed to hold on to a routine aerial ball.
FC Goa look good to make it to the playoffs but all is still not well. They are the only team in the ISL to not have kept a clean sheet and a large part of this can be attributed to Kattimani's performance.
Apart from being a poor shot-stopper, Goa's captain has also failed to marshal his back line. Tonight, he looked nervous and seemed to lack the confidence that one expects a captain to exude. Unlike NorthEast, better quality teams will not be so sympathetic to him.
#2 Brandon Fernandes limps off early on
FC Goa's midfield linchpin, Brandon Fernandes twisted his ankle and limped off the pitch inside the first fifteen minutes of the match. In his attempt to win back the ball, he slid through awkwardly and was immediately seething in pain.
Brandon has been a vital player for Goa and has constantly aided his teammates in the final third of the pitch. In fact, he has been Goa's best Indian player by a mile. Coach, Sergio Lobera will be hoping that his creative play-maker returns to the pitch as soon as possible.
Well into the business end of the season, Goa cannot afford to lose quality players to injury. Their bench strength has not been tested, chopping and changing at this stage could negatively impact the team's chemistry.
#3 Mandar Rao celebrates his half-century with sublime finish
Playing against NorthEast United, Goa's winger, Mandar Rao featured in his 50th game for the Gaurs and topped off an impressive night with a well-taken finish in the first half. That goal was his first since the opening day of the tournament when he scored against Chennaiyin.
Rao was in the right place at the right time and made the most of a loose ball, smashing it past a hapless, TP Rehenesh. With Brandon suffering an injury early on, Goa's equally influential Indian recruit stepped up and delivered a thoroughly professional performance.
Aside from his goal, he ran the yards and cut inside numerous times causing the visitors numerous problems in the final third. Moving forward, his presence on the pitch will be crucial.
#4 Marcinho duly rewarded for attempting to make things happen
NorthEast United were far from impressive tonight, fortunately for them their opponents were not in great form either. However, one man always attempted to make things happen for the visitors.
Brazilian, Marcinho was lively all night long and scored the all-important equaliser for the Highlanders in the first half. He was always eager to get on the ball and was never hesitant to run with it into the heart of Goa's defence.
That was his third goal of the season, despite his side struggling throughout, Marcinho has been one of the few highlights in NEUFC's substandard season. Tonight, he was at his creative best and his team's best player on the pitch.
#5 Highlanders spoil Goa's party
Tonight was a psychological test for Goa and a huge mental test for their players. The race for a spot in the top 4 is now well and truly on and the Gaurs can only blame themselves for giving their opponents a sniff.
Having fallen behind 1-2 courtesy a sublime three-pass move finished off by Corominas, North East levelled proceedings through a well-worked move of their own. Rowllin Borges scooped in a superb through ball to Doungel who squared it off to John Mosquera. The substitute scored with his first touch of the ball and silenced the home crowd.
Tonight's draw means Goa remain two points behind Jamshedpur. While they do have two games in hand, they will next face Bengaluru and Chennaiyin. This one will go down to the wire.
