PANJIM: Liston Colaco’s late brilliance ensured Hyderabad FC register a thrilling 4-2 win over NorthEast United FC to record back to back wins in the Indian Super League at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Friday.
The Goan lad come on a second half substitute and scored two late goals (85’, 90+’) goals to script full points for the Nizams.
The teams were tied 2-2 at the break after F. Gallego (45′ p) and Benjamin Lambot (45′) scored two goals in quick succession to cancel Hyderabad’s two goal lead scored through Aridane Santana (3’) and Joel Chianese (36’). Liston’s late goal earned them the much needed points.
Hyderabad took a dream lead early in the third minute of the game when Joel Chianese got the ball in the midfield and danced his way into NorthEast United FC box, and then squared up for Aridane Santana, who stretched out his left foot the send the ball past Subhasish Roy.
Hyderabad extended their lead when they capitalised on woeful defending from the NorthEast United players. It was Chianese this time with the goal as he went past Ashutosh Mehta and Khassa Camara, and calmly scored the team’s second.
Hyderabad keeper was in thick of action bringing on couple of saves in the game. But after much pressing NorthEast United were handed a lifeline in the first half injury time when Halicharan Narzary brought down Ashutosh Mehta inside the box and gifted a penalty. Federico Gallego stepped up and scored from the spot.
NorthEast United determination saw them get back in the game from what looked like a mountain to climb. It looked like the Highlanders were down and out but they believed in themselves.
They scored two goals in quick succession and the Highlanders pulled level right before the half time. A scrappy finish but Benjamin Lambot and NEUFC won’t care one bit. Lalrempuia Fanai put a delicious cross inside the box. by Laxmikant Kattimani was there once again to deny Ashutosh Mehta and then Idrissa Sylla in quick succession, but he couldn’t keep Benjamin Lambot’s effort out of the goal.
In the second half, Kattimani continued his best under the frame for Hyderabad as he was forced for yet another save when Luis Machado tried his luck from a distance. The former FC Goa custodian dived full to push the ball for a corner.
But then comes the super sub Liston Colaco with a brilliant solo goal which had class as well as composure. Liston on getting the ball cut past three rival defenders with his quick feet making it nearly impossible for the NEUFC players to predict the moves, and then the lanky Goan lad curled his shot into the top right corner to restore the lead for Hyderabad. Liston scored his brace deep into the injury time from an Aridane assist.
