SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
ALLAN VALENTINO D’CRUZ
PANJIM: On Saturday, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, FC Goa attempted 17 shots, eight of them being on target. Like any other day, Juan Ferrando’s men had maximum possession, they had better passing, and even registered better successful passes.
Once again they dominated in terms of stats, but they were simply unlucky not to walk away with a point.
While FC Goa were good, NorthEast United were simply better where Khassa Camara’s stoppage time stunner proved the difference in the game giving them their first win in the competition.
The 1-2 defeat meant, Gaurs are now without a single point having lost three consecutive games.
The Highlanders were first to score through Rochharzela but Gaurs came with an instant reply finding the equaliser through Alexander Jesuraj before Camara sealed three points for NEUFC.
FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando made changes to his line-up but the notable was Edu Bedia being benched to accommodate Dylan Fox, who was handed his debut against his former club on Saturday.
In search of full points, both sides exhibited attacking football. But FC Goa, who had earlier recorded just three shots on target in their last two games, forced NorthEast United FC keeper Subhasish Roy into saves after saves, in the opening minutes of the game.
First, Roy had to dive to the near post to deny Jorge Ortiz and then later intercepted his cross cum shot. Unlike the previous games, the Gaurs showed determination and urgency to score against NorthEast United.
However, NorthEast United capitalised in the 11th minute from yet another defensive lapse. Mathias Coureur collected the ball in the midfield and sent in a lovely through ball to find Rochharzela and the latter dashed forward before coolly placing it past the onrushing Dheeraj Singh.
FC Goa made it all square in the 13th minute. Jorge Ortiz made the initial run before sending a low pass to Alexander Jesuraj, who attempted a fancy flick which went way off target. However, NorthEast failed to get a clearance and this time Alberto Noguera’s shot was tapped in by Jesuraj who was left unmarked by the NorthEast side.
Juan Ferrando’s changed tactics worked against NorthEast. The Gaurs were relentless throughout the first 45 minutes registering eight shots on target but were denied by brilliant shot stopping from North East United keeper Roy. FC Goa clearly dominated the play but lacked precision in the attacking third.
In the second half both sides struggled to maintain possession with both playing a pressing game. While FC Goa created chances, it was NorthEast United who came to scoring twice in the game and on both the occasions, FC Goa’s Dheeraj was beaten only for the goalpost to keep the ball out.
Coureur was first denied at the hour mark when he struck a perfect volley which hit the post. And then in the 71st minute Coureur, seeing the custodian out of position, tried his luck from the halfway mark, but the foreigner’s shot came off the crossbar.
FC Goa skipper was introduced late in the game. But he couldn’t make much difference though he attempted a couple of shots which failed to find the frame.
Just as it looked like FC Goa would get their first point, Brown set up Khassa Camara, who dispatched a stunning shot in stoppage time which flew inside the goal. The Gaurs are now three games without a win.
