NorthEast United FC and FC Goa shared the spoils after an exhilarating 2-2 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday. The Gaurs took the lead through Hugo Boumous in the first half before second half strikes from Asamoah Gyan and Redeem Tlang put the Highlanders in a strong position. Goa were then reduced to 10 men after substitute Seiminlen Doungel was sent off in injury time, but they rallied to score through Manvir Singh just before the final whistle.

  • Hugo Boumous opened the scoring for FC goa with a goal in the 31st minute.
  • Asamoah Gyan restored parity for NorthEast United FC nine minutes into the second period.
  • Redeem Tlang scored the Highlanders' second on the 74th minute.
  • Seiminlen Doungel was sent off in injury time.
  • Manvir Singh scored the leveller for Goa a minute from the final whistle.

Goa began the match on the front foot and dominated the ball in the opening exchanges. NorthEast gradually grew into the game and got their first shot of the match on target in the 9th minute after Gyan tested the goalkeeper with a left-footed effort from just inside the box.

The Gaurs responded with a Boumous shot eight minutes later after Ferran Corominas had found the Frenchman with an intelligent pass. Fortunately for NorthEast, Boumous’ attempt only rattled the frame of the goal as the match remained goalless.

However, Boumous wasn’t going to be denied in the 31st minute when he was played in goal with just the goalkeeper to beat. The Frenchman demonstrated his class by wonderfully rounding the goalkeeper before producing a composed finish to make it 1-0 for the visitors.

NorthEast had an opportunity to equaliser just three minutes later after a lapse at the back led to Gyan being presented with a big chance. The Ghanaian frontman, though, once again directed his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Goa retaliated immediately at the other end through a Corominas shot, but Subhasish Roy got his hands up in time to make the save. Boumous then put a header from a Jackichand Singh cross just wide of goal soon after.

The final five minutes of the half saw the hosts up the ante in search of an equaliser. A Gyan header from a Rakesh Pradhan cross fell kindly for Redeem Tlang on the follow-up but Mourtada Fall did enough to clear the danger. Another Gyan header three minutes from half-time then went just above the crossbar as Goa withstood the pressure to take a 1-0 lead into the break.

Goa’s lead, however, was wiped away just nine minutes into the second period courtesy Gyan, who showed his class with a finessed finish into the far corner that caught the goalkeeper off guard.

Both teams went in search of a winner with the score level and Goa would have been in front again in the 67th minute had it not been for Subhasish in NorthEast’s goal. The Highlanders’ custodian first denied Jackichand and then got up quickly to keep out Corominas’ follow-up.

The Gaurs were made to pay for their failure to hit the back of the net in the 74th minute when Redeem produced an exquisite finish to put away Martin Chaves’ lay off from the left and make it 2-1 for the hosts.

Goa looked to push forward straight from the restart and were successful in launching several attacks and shots on NorthEast’s goal. Corominas came close to restoring parity 10 minutes from full-time but the Spaniard’s shot went out of danger after rattling the post.

The final few minutes were eventful and saw NorthEast have two efforts on goal without finding the back of the net. Goa were then reduced to 10 men after Doungel was sent off as NorthEast edged towards victory. However, Manvir had other plans and was perfectly positioned to nod home a Fall header that made it all square at full-time. 

Hero of the Match – Redeem Tlang

Redeen Tlang put in another solid shift for NorthEast and got on the scoresheet for a second consecutive game. His abundance of energy saw him cover most of the pitch and have 47 touches of the ball, making him our Hero of the Match.

AWARDS

Club Award – NorthEast United FC and FC Goa

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match – Manvir Singh

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Redeem Tlang

Hero of the Match – Redeem Tlang

Watch the match highlights here: