FC Goa were held to a 1-1 draw by Delhi Dynamos FC in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday. Hugo Boumous scored the opener for Goa in the 53rd minute, while Kalu Uche netted the equaliser in the 81st minute for Delhi.

The visitors had the first chance of the game and it went former Goa man Manuel Arana’s way. After Uche found Arana with a wonderful through ball, the Spaniard failed to capitalise on it as he ended up poking it to Goa custodian Naveen Kumar.

Goa’s first attempt came in the 6th minute after Brandon Fernandes curled in an effort that went high above the crossbar. The Gaurs then settled into the game and began to create more, as Fernandes found himself presented with another opportunity 15 minutes later. This time, he received a stray ball off Ferran Corominas before firing first-time wide off goal.

The Gaurs’ new recruit Boumous first showed glimpses of what he is capable of four minutes before the half-hour mark after making a surging run into enemy territory and beating a few defenders along the way. He then went on to pass to Mandar Rao Dessai, who cut on to his left foot and got his shot away but couldn’t generate enough power to beat the goalkeeper.

Boumous was involved in another threatening attack in the 36th minute when he linked up well with Corominas. The Spaniard played Boumous in on goal only for a stunning last-ditched tackle by Gabriel Cichero to ensure it remained level-pegging at the break.

It took Goa eight minutes to break the deadlock after the restart and it was dangerman Boumous who made the breakthrough. The Frenchman went on another delightful run from the halfway line before shooting from outside the box. His attempt took a wicked deflection off Cichero and sailed into the back of the net to make it 1-0 for the hosts.

The Gaurs nearly doubled their lead shortly after the hour-mark when Corominas found himself in a favourable position to score from. Delhi’s shot-stopper Xabier Iruetaguena, however, was alert to the danger and rushed off his line to make the save with his legs. Corominas had another chance to double Goa’s advantage in the 74th minute but his attempted chip failed to test the goalkeeper.

It proved to be costly as Delhi raised their games in the closing stages of the contest. Lallianzuala Chhangte failed to make the most of his chance by hitting the side netting after being played through on goal by Uche in the 78th minute.

However, when the roles were reversed and Chhangte passed to Uche just three minutes later, the Nigerian made no mistake as he slotted home in composed fashion to cap off a fine team move and make it 1-1 with nine minutes of normal time remaining. Goa had a chance to win it two minutes from time when Dessai found himself in on goal but fired wide to the disappointment of the crowd as it ended all square.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award: FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos FC

Swift Limitless Player: Mandar Rao Dessai

DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Lallianzuala Chhangte

Amul Fittest Player: Hugo Boumous

Emerging Player: Mohammad Dhot

Hero of the Match: Kalu Uche

Watch the match highlights here: