FC Goa redeemed themselves with a convincing 3-1 victory over NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) clash in Guwahati on Thursday.
Stunned 0-4 by Chennaiyin FC in the previous game at home, FC Goa chief coach Zico made four changes to his starting eleven and got the desired response as Jonatan Lucca (28th minute), Reinaldo (30th) and Mandar Rao Desai (70th) got the goals for FC Goa after Francis Dadzie had given NorthEast United a 12th minute lead.
FC Goa now have seven points from four matches while NorthEast United have lost all three games played so far.
Two goals in two minutes changed the complexion of the match in the first session as FC Goa fought their way back into contention.
FC Goa found themselves down by a goal in the 12th minute when Francis Dadzie headed home. Midfielder Sanju Pradhan had done well to bamboozle Debabrata Roy on the right flank and then cross the ball into the heart of the Goan goalmouth where left-back Keenan Almeida lost his player and Dadzie was allowed an easy header into an empty goal.
FC Goa’s reaction was swift. Midfielders Leo Moura and Joffre Gonzalez were controlling the proceedings amicably and it was only a matter of time before they got the equalizer. In the 28th minute, a quick counterattack launched by Jonatan Lucca saw CS Sabeeth rush towards the goal and then pick out Joffre inside the danger zone. The Spanish midfielder checked his run and laid a perfect ball for Luccca to finish brilliantly from just outside the box.
Two minutes later, Goa were ahead. It was Joffre again who was the architect of the goal as he dribbled past a couple of players on the left-flank and took aim at goal where the defenders managed to block but simply ball-watched as Reinaldo pounced on the rebound from close range to score his second goal in the league.
In the second half, NorthEast United came back strongly in search of the equalizer and could have drawn level. Captain Cedric Hengbart’s header from a corner kick fell straight into the waiting hands of the goalkeeper and another grounder from Reagan Singh was also well covered by Goa goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani.
Goa too had chances of their own but Joffre and Reinaldo both missed with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Goa finally put the match beyond NorthEast United’s reach in the 70th minute. Leo Moura waited and watched the rival defence regroup and then sent a defence-splitting ball for substitute Mandar Rao Desai to slide it past the goalkeeper.
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