NorthEast United FC played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with FC Goa in both the club’s first encounter of the 2018-19 season of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.

• The Highlanders drew first blood in the 8^th minute through debutant Federico Gallego, after a horrendous defensive mistake from Goa.
• Goa answered with two back-to-back goals from Ferran Corominas in the 14^th and 39^th minute, to give the Gaurs the upper hand in the first half.
• NorthEast captain Bartholomew Ogbeche brought the hosts back level with a thumping header in the 53^rd

The match started on a fervent note with the Highlanders opening the scoring as early as in the eighth minute. The hosts were awarded a free-kick after goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz handled the ball outside the box, thinking it was a foul in his side’s favour. With the goalkeeper well off his line, Gallego cleverly took a quick free-kick and slotted the ball into the empty net, much to the astonishment of the visitors.

Nevertheless, the Gaurs weren’t behind for too long as Corominas took the responsibility of getting them back into the game. In the 14^th minute, a good build-up play from Goa resulted in Jackichand Singh delivering a delicious cross for Corominas, who was on hand to tap the ball home.

Both clubs created a host of chances to take the lead, but ultimately Corominas’ brilliance proved to be the difference yet again. The Spaniard picked up the ball a few yards outside the box, skipped past three challenges before smashing the ball into the bottom corner. Goa managed to hold on for the remaining minutes of the half and entered the break with a 2-1 lead.

The hosts began the second half with greater intensity and renewed hope, and were eventually rewarded through birthday-boy Ogbeche. A splendid cross down the left flank from Keegan Pereira found the Nigerian in space, who powerfully headed the ball into the back of the net, much to the delight of the home fans.

With the scores level, neither side could really take the game by the scruff of the neck in the last quarter of the match. Chances were created at both ends of the pitch, first when Hugo Boumous felt hard done by for not earning a penalty after being brought down inside the box and then when Rowllin Borges produced a fine stop from Nawaz with a long-range shot. In the end, both sides had to settle for a draw.

HERO OF THE MATCH

If it wasn’t for Ferran Corominas’ individual brilliance, NorthEast would have run away with all three points. The Spaniard was at the right place at the right time to score Goa’s first goal. The second goal was a touch of magic when he glided past the defence with ease before slotting the ball past TP Rehenesh in goal. The lethal striker looks to have continued from where he left off last season and will undoubtedly be one of the frontrunners for the top-scorer of the season.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award - NorthEast United FC and FC Goa

Swift Limitless Player of the Match - Bartholomew Ogbeche

DHL Winning Pass of the Match award - Keegan Pereira

ISL Emerging Player of the Match - Nikhil Kadam

Hero of the match - Ferran Corominas

WHAT’S NEXT?

NorthEast will travel to Kolkata to face two-time champions ATK for their second fixture on Thursday, while FC Goa face the defending champions Chennaiyin FC on Saturday.