MARGAO: FC Goa and NorthEast United FC shared points after Striker Reinaldo found a late equaliser to hold the Highlanders to an entertaining 1-1 draw in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League match played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Fatorda in front of 19,438 spectators on Wednesday evening.
The first opportunity came Highlanders way off a corner in the 5th minute. Defender Carlos Javier Lopez headed a loose ball but his effort was kept out by Leo Moura on the goal-line. FC Goa came close six minutes later when Reinaldo headed back a cross towards the danger area. Striking partner Dudu was waiting for the ball and almost got there but goalie TP Rehenesh did enough to put off the Nigerian frontman.
The pendulum swung NorthEast United FC’s way next when Francis Dadzie went through on goal. Dadzie’s shot though was collected easily by Laxmikant Kattimani in goal. This was the Ghanaian’s last piece of action as he had to be withdrawn shortly due to injury and was replaced by Mendy.
Sanju Pradhan then fired a shot from distance at the goal which FC Goa’s defence somehow managed to scramble away from the box after TP Rehenesh had parried away Pradhan’s initial effort. Pradhan shot four minutes later again but failed to break the deadlock.
The goalless first half set the stage for a scintillating second half with the visitors taking a lead off a Victor Mendy header before Reinaldo levelled for Goa in the 80th minute.
The Highlanders’ marquee player Simao stepped up and delivered a quality corner into the six-yard area which substitute Mendy attacked most aggressively and headed past a powerless Kattimani to put the visitors up 1-0.
FC Goa cranked up the tempo immediately in search of a leveller and looked dangerous attacking from the flanks.
Mandar Rao Dessai and CS Sabeeth put in threatening crosses from these wide positions but unfortunately for the hosts, the crosses just evaded the Goan attackers in the box.
There was pandemonium in the stadium 10 minutes from full-time as the crowd erupted after Reinaldo got the Gaurs their equaliser. Moura did brilliantly to set up Reinaldo who smashed his shot past Rehenesh to make it 1-1.
Moura could have claimed all three points on the stroke of full-time. However, the Brazilian scuffed his shot wide of the NorthEast goal. Kattimani foiled all effort on goal.
