FC Goa ended NorthEast United FC’s unbeaten away run in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 after beating them 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday. Mislav Komorski’s own goal gave Goa the lead, while Ferran Corominas doubled their advantage from the spot in the 82nd minute after Jose Leudo’s unsuccessful last man challenge had ended in NorthEast conceding the penalty and the Highlanders midfielder being sent off. It was also the Gaurs’ 100th Hero ISL match, earning them the distinction of becoming the first team to reach the mark.

  • Mislav Komorski’s own goal gave FC Goa the lead in the second half.
  • Jose Leudo was shown a red card for an unsuccessful last man challenge.
  • Ferran Corominas doubled the lead for Goa from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.

Goa came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute when Jackichand Singh provided a cutback for Corominas. The Spaniard, though, a bit uncharacteristically failed to test the goalkeeper with his effort. Jackichand, in fact, was a busy man early on and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper shortly after, courtesy a brilliant through ball by Hugo Boumous. However, instead of shooting at goal, the pacey Indian winger opted to square the ball and ended up letting the Highlanders off the hook.

Jackichand then combined with Corominas again in the 18th minute with a cross from the right. This time the Spaniard executed a bicycle kick but like his earlier attempt, he once again failed to hit the target.

NorthEast, to their credit, did well to weather Goa’s early onslaught and settled into the match gradually. With Goa seeing most of the ball, the Highlanders looked to play quick counter-attacking football, albeit without much success.

The closing stages of the first half saw Goa getting into the box and providing dangerous crosses from the wide areas. Having said that, NorthEast’s goalkeeper Pawan Kumar was alert to the danger and did well on a couple of occasions to thwart the threats and ensured that his team went into the break on a level footing.

Goa began the second period on the front foot and were disappointed not to be in front three minutes into the half. After a smart pass by Lenny Rodrigues had put Jackichand in on goal with just the goalkeeper the beat, the 27-year-old winger could only smash his effort straight at Pawan, who parried the ball away from danger.

The Gaurs finally broke the deadlock in the 68th minute but none of their players got on the scoresheet. Instead, it was NorthEast defender Komorski, whose outstretched leg ended up directing a cross from the right goalwards and into the back of the net.

Goa secured the three points from the penalty spot eight minutes from normal time after Jose Leudo was sent off for a last man challenge that denied the Gaurs a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Corominas gleefully converted from the spot and doubled his side’s advantage to set up a comfortable finish to the match for the hosts.

The Spaniard’s goal was also the 150th goal of the season and Goa’s 100th Hero ISL goal at their home ground.

Hero of the Match – Lenny Rodrigues

The Indian midfielder produced another assured and energetic display at the center of the park. He had 84 touches of the ball, created a chance and finished with a passing accuracy of 87%, making him the Hero of the Match.

AWARDS

Club Award – FC Goa

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match – Hugo Boumous

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Ahmed Jahouh

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Mohammad Nawaz

Hero of the Match – Lenny Rodrigues

Watch the match highlights here:

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FC GoaNorthEast United FC Match Report2019-2020Match 54, FC Goa vs NorthEast United FC - 2019