Friday , March 29 2024

ISL-3: NorthEast United FC score a 2-0 win over FC Goa!

NorthEast United FC vs FC GoaNorthEast United FC made it two wins out of two by beating FC Goa, who played their first match, 2-0 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday evening.

A brace by Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro allowed the Highlanders to move to the top of the Indian Super League table and helped the side win their first ever match against the Gaurs.

FC Goa started the game brightly after Raju Gaikwad and Rafael Coelho combined well down the right and the striker put a cross across the box for Richarlyson who was beaten to the ball by a NEUFC defender. The Gaurs nearly took the lead early on when a Trindade Goncalves corner at the near post was headed goal wards by Rafael Dumas. However, Subrata Pal made a fantastic save to deny the Brazilian.

As the half progressed, the Highlanders began to get more involved in the game as the away side seemed to drop off. Katsumi Yusa got a chance to put NorthEast United in the lead in the 10th minute but he was closed down well by Laxmikant Kattimani who saved the resulting shot. But then FC Goa found themselves down by a goal after a defensive error from keeper Kattimani. Lucio who collected the ball from a NorthEast long ball passed it back to Kattimani whose attempted clearance deflected off Emiliano Alfaro into an empty net.

Brazilian Mailson Alves picked up an injury midway through the first half and was replaced by NEUFC marquee Didier Zokora. FC Goa were presented with a good chance to level the match in the 37th minute when Mandar Rao Desai ran down the left and put in a superb low cross for Jofre whose first time shot was expertly saved by the Indian international goalkeeper Subrata Pal. As the half petered to a close, FC Goa had another chance to equalise after a quick free kick by Jofre found Lucio unmarked in the box. The defender’s attempt to put a ball across the box however, was deflected meekly to the goalkeeper as the referee blew for half-time.

Zico brought on Romeo Fernandes for Sanjay Balmuchu at the start of the second half which began in much the same fashion as the first half ended. FC Goa went into attack to look for an equaliser. Trindade was the first to have a say in the half as he unleashed a long shot which Subrata saved, diving to his right. In the 58th minute, Subrata came to the rescue of the Highlanders twice in two minutes. Mandar Rao Desai found himself in the box after a cheeky leave from Jofre. The winger’s right footed shot was tipped away by the Indian goalkeeper superbly before the ball found its way to Trindade who unleashed a ferocious drive that seemed destined for the top right corner. But Subrata dived to his left and palmed it away to keep NorthEast United ahead.

FC Goa continued to pile on the pressure and they were made to pay for it once more in the 62nd minute when a smart touch by Holicharan Narzary put Alfaro through on goal. The striker made no mistake and put the ball through the legs of Kattimani to double his team’s tally. A few minutes later, Trindade unleashed yet another long range shot which sailed out of play. Reinaldo was brought on for Richarlyson in the 70th minute while NorthEast United brought on the dynamic Nico Velez. Reinaldo almost got a goal back for the Gaurs but his left footed effort was saved easily by Subrata. Zico brought on Julio Cesar for Rafael in the 77th minute for his final substitution. However, it was the Highlanders who almost tripled their lead, a neat through ball found Velez on the right who unselfishly put it across the box for an unmarked Alfaro whose close range shot was cleared off the line by Gaikwad. Cesar attempted to get his team back in it and had a couple of shots late in the game but NorthEast United FC held firm to close out the game.

Match Awards

Club Award – NorthEast United FC

Hero of the Match – Emiliano Alfaro (NorthEast United FC)

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Holicharan Narzary (NorthEast United FC)

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Robin Gurung (NorthEast United FC)

Maruti Suzuki Swift Moment of the Match – Subrata Pal (NorthEast United FC)

Amul Fittest Player – Jofre (FC Goa)

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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