MARGAO: FC Goa had to pay the price for poor finishing as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against FC Pune City in the Hero Indian Super League match, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here, on Friday.
It was the only second time in the seven matches that FC Goa had taken the lead. The first was their 2-0 victory against Delhi Dynamos FC in the opening game.
FC Goa Marquee player and 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil, Lucio was back from injury and formed the defence line alongside Luciano Sobrosa and skipper Gregory Arnolin while Bikramjit Singh played as a defensive midfielder.
FC Pune City defender Roger Johnson had a contrasting performance in either session. In the 10th minute, the Englishmen was the hero for his team when he came up with a goalline clearance but just after the restart, an own-goal by the 32-year-old saw the home team take the lead in the 47th minute.
Marquee manager-cum-coach Zico could have soon changed his tactics by bringing on a defender, but instead, the Brazilian legend chose to go with the flow and see if his boys could double the advantage.
David Platt’s side boasted by strong bench strength regrouped well with substitutes Jackichand Singh and Wesley Verhoek creating space on the flanks.
The result which allowed Wesley all the time to deliver a perfect cross from the right flank to unmarked Eugenseson Lyngdoh, who headed in the equalizer in the 64th minute.
FC Pune City were growing in confidence and that’s when Zico finally made his first substitution in the 76th minute as defender Narayan Das was introduced in place of midfielder Mandar.
Four minutes from the final whistle, Zico knew a point gained is better than a point lost and he brought in fresh legs in the form of defender Nicolau Colaco in place of Romeo.
There were six changes for The Gaurs as keeper Laxmikant Kattimani, Narayan Das, Raju Gaikwad, Pronay Halder, Victorino Fernandes and the injured Darryl Duffy were out of the starting eleven.
Although hit by injuries, FC Goa got off to an attacking start in the first session unlike their performances in the previous matches. Even their opponents were taken by surprise by this approach.
Zico was forced to start with Indian strikers Thongkoisep Haokip and Joaquim Abranches. It was the debut for the duo who could have easily score a goal each but that was not the case as they lacked finishing.
If Haokip had done little more to push the ball hard, than may be Roger could have not reached to make that important goalline clearance and FC Goa could have gone on to score more goals and finish the tie in the first session itself.
The inclusion of Mandar and Romeo on the left and right flanks respectively did boost FC Goa’s attack. Mandar was far more impressive when he received long balls from medio Leo Moura. The 23-year-old was unlucky as he saw his scorching right-footer kiss the crossbar in the 22nd minute.
Overall, the teams enjoyed equal number of ball possession but FC Goa had a better attacking index while custodian Elinton Andrade was hardly tested in the second session.
The Orange Army had hard luck in the second session after Nigerian Kalu Uche’s effort hit the upright.
FC Goa climbed one place higher to the third spot in the standings with 11 points while FC Pune City continued to enjoy their top position with 13 points.
The Gaurs next travel to Chennai to take on Chennaiyin FC on Thursday and all eyes will be on new signing Rafael Coelho to solve Zico’s striking woes.
