Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: FC Goa maintain their nine-game unbeaten run following a late Ishan Pandita header to salvage a thrilling 3-3 draw against leader Mumbai City FC at GMC Stadium, Bambolim, on Monday.
FC Goa looked to be staring at their first defeat in nine games when Rowllin Borges struck late in the 90th minute to give Mumbai City a 3-2 lead. But Pandita, who came in as a late substitute still had time to nod in the equalizer in the 90+ 3 minutes.
Earlier, the Islanders led through Hugo Boumous and Adam Le Fondre strikes, but goals from Glan Martins and Igor Angulo helped Goa track back into the game.
The result left Sergio Lobera frustrated as his side squandered the lead twice in the game.
Coming into the game, it was Goa who dominated the match with maximum ball possession. They attacked in numbers but that was it. They failed to create any real goal-scoring opportunities. But at the other end, Mumbai stayed back and relaxed and waited for the perfect time to pounce on the opponents.
Hugo Boumous was exceptional against his former team. His dazzling runs and quick feet made it difficult for FC Goa. He first sounded the warning when he zoomed into the area only to see his cut-back pass blocked by Dheeraj Singh.
However, Goa couldn’t stop him for long. The former Gaur grabbed on a perfect opportunity from a counter when Adam Le Fondre set him through lone on goal. With no man around, Boumous ran into the box, who was quick enough to see off any danger from Saviour Gama, who was chasing him behind. Boumous rounded the keeper and slotted home to open the scoring.
Mumbai soon inflated their account and this time through Adam Le Fondre. The English capitalized on a rebound when Dheeraj pushed a Hernan Santana header into his path. The striker nodded in to double the lead.
With Mumbai’s defense standing tall. Glan Martins scored a stunning goal just before the breather. The former ATK Mohun Bagan and Sporting Clube de Goa player latched on to a pass from Jorge Ortiz to smash the ball past Amrinder Singh, who otherwise had a couple of saves to his name in the game.
The Gaurs restored parity soon after the restart when Igor Angulo nodded in an Alberto Noguera cross. Angulo timed his run in the area to beat the offside trap and to score past Amrinder.
After missing a couple of sitters, Borges finally scored a late winner in the 90th minute when he guided in Ahmed Jahouh’s free-kick from the left.
There was still time for a goal. Edu Bedia sent in a long ball in the area which was headed in by Ishan Pandita, who showed his aerial ability in netting the equalizer for Goa.
