24 Jan 2022  |   06:24am IST

Chhetri’s record-equalling goal denies FC Goa win

Chhetri’s record-equalling goal denies FC Goa win

ALLAN VALENTINO D'CRUZ


PANJIM: It was yet another frustrating result for FC Goa as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. This wasn’t the result that Goa expected but for any Indian football fan, it was a huge sigh of relief to finally see the National team skipper Sunil Chhetri score a goal in this edition at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim. 

Sunil Chhetri, who was without a goal in the last 11 games, finally broke his season duck at the hour mark to end his goal drought and salvage a crucial draw for his side. 

Sunil now became joint leading goal scorer in the Indian Super League with 48 goals tied with former FC Goa sensation Ferran Corominas. His goal cancelled FC Goa's first half lead scored by Dylan Fox, who also scored his first for FCG.

Both sides were looking for three points at the start of the game, but it would be unfair if any side among the two were left without a point at the end of the game. The two sides had their moments on the pitch, and deservingly had the points shared.

It was an end to end battle in the first half, though Bengaluru FC were more threatening in the first session. Cleiton Silva and Naorem Roshan Singh pressed high and created chances for the side. Naorem was denied by Anwar Ali, who has been impressive for Gaurs ever since his arrival at FC Goa.

Meanwhile for FC Goa, they had their moments too. Jorge Ortiz had sent in a delicious aerial through pass to Edu Bedia, who just had the keeper at his sight, but the Spaniard directed it wide. 

Bengaluru FC defence had been poor in dealing with the set pieces and were punished just before the break from a set-piece. Jorge Ortiz and Alberto Noguera played a quick corner, where the former whipped in a cross at the far post to an unmarked Dylan Fox, who nodded in to make it 1-0.

In the second half, Sunil Chhetri finally put his side back in the play in the 60th minute. 

Prince Ibra wrestled his way past FC Goa’s Saviour Gama on the right before sending in an accurate cross in the area, where an unmarked Sunil pumped in a powerful header to find the back of the net. 

Despite scoring his first of the season, and record equalling goal, the Indian captain didn’t celebrate the goal knowing his side were looking for nothing less than three points.

BFC nearly got their second in the 70th minute when an impressive Naorem danced his way into the FC Goa and fired a power packed left footer forcing Dheeraj Singh to pull off a stunning save.

Sunil Chhetri nearly sealed the game in the 90th minute when Rohit Kumar broke into the rival half and found C Silva. 

The foreigner played a smart pass in the middle to Sunil, who struck a strong left foot, but much to his dismay his shot hit the crossbar. 


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