MARGAO: Hosts FC Goa failed to live up to their home crowd dreams of grabbing the three points as table toppers FC Pune City rallied for a 1-1 draw to maintain their lead in the Indian Super League season two, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday.
FC Goa dominated the first half but failed to find the net on four occasions. Luckily, in the 46th minute, an own goal by defender Roger Johnson of FC Pune City brought cheers on the stands. But the visitors fought back and restored parity through Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s equaliser in the 64th minute.
With the draw, FC Pune City maintain their lead at the top of the standings after the end of the first leg with 13 points from seven matches while FC Goa moved up to the third place with 11 points from as many outings.
Injury-plagued FC Goa put up a dominant performance and made inroads into the rival citadel on number of occasions with a steady flow of passes.
Leonardo Moura and Jonatan Lucca controlled the midfield effectively and Mandar Rao Desai was good on the left flank. The home team made moves mostly from the left and got the first opportunity to take lead in the 10th minute when Moura beat the rival defence with a through pass.
Thongkoisep Haokip along with Joaquim Abranches overpowered the rival keeper Steven Simonsen with a low shot only to see defender Roger making a goal line save.
The Goan side kept on attacking and Luciano Sobrosa once again penetrated the opponent’s defence with a long pass to Abranches, but the latter failed to net the ball home. Hard work also did not favour the Goan side as Mandar Rao’s left-footed drive hit the cross bar in the 22th minute.
Thereafter, a one-to-one move between Moura and Romeo Fernandes weakened the FC Pune City backline, but Romeo failed to make the best use of the opportunity.
The visitors, who had a great game against Kerala Blasters, were a subdued lot for most part of the first session, for them the only chance came in the 10th minute when Nicholas
Shorey’s flag kick was punched away to safety by home team keeper Elinton Andrade. The ball then went to Bikas Jairu and it was back heeled by striker Kalu Uche before the Goan defence cleared it.
But the hosts finally took the lead in the 46th minute. Romeo Fernandes, who received the ball on the right, sent a high cross into the box and rival defender Roger trying to clear it, in haste shot the ball into his own goal.
FC Pune City had chance to restore parity two minutes later but Kalu Uche hit the post and the ball was then collected by keeper Andrade.
Sensing trouble, FC Pune City made double changes bringing in Wesley Verhoek and Jackichand Singh in place of Tuncay Sanli and Bikash Jairu. The move worked for the visitors as they showed promise on the right with Wesley tormenting the Goan defence with teasing crosses and in one such move, floated the ball to an unmarked Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who headed the ball into the far corner of the goal.
