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A last-minute equaliser is usually a thing of relief for teams in a football game, but FC Goa are not overly thrilled following a draw against Odisha FC on Tuesday night. Considering the number of chances that the Gaurs created, the late equaliser gave them what one might think to be a consolation point.
“I wouldn’t say the result is fine, because seeing the way we dominated yesterday, we should’ve gotten the three points. At the same time, losing wouldn’t have been fair at all – so I’m happy that we could draw the match at least,” Alexander Romario Jesuraj said.
Romario turned out to be the unexpected hero for Derrick Pereira and his boys, scoring with what was one of the final touches of the game. He nodded home a delightful cross from Airam Cabrera to earn his team a vital point.
This was the winger’s second goal of this season, after netting only once in his previous season. “Since it was the last minute, my mindset was to enter into the Odisha FC box and I knew that Airam was capable of delivering a quality ball. I felt that if I went inside, I could make something happen. Luckily, the ball came to me directly and I could head the ball correctly into the goal,” he explained.
“Scoring a last-minute goal is special to every player and so is it to me. Hence, I’m very happy that I was able to contribute to the team.”
FC Goa now have a nine-day break before their next match in the Indian Super League (ISL). On 10 February, they will lock horns with Chennaiyin FC – the team against whom they last won a game, earlier last month.
With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on the league in general and the club in particular, the players had a bad time throughout January, spending more time in isolation than in training sessions or matchdays. The upcoming break, hence, would ideally be great for the Gaurs as it offers ample time for the team to refresh themselves.
“We have a lot of time to practice and be ready for the next game. The team is a little upset that we are not getting the expected results. We will hence definitely utilise the time to recover, analyse and learn from our mistakes,” Romario said.
“My heart feels a little heavy to think that we got 15 points from 15 matches. We could’ve won a few more games – but on the bright side anything can happen in football.
“Therefore, going forward we will play as a single unit with a positive mindset, and produce the best possible results,” he signed off.
FC Goa will look to bring back the smiles on the faces of both the team and their fans next week when they will look do the double against Chennaiyin FC.
