ISL 5: NorthEast United, FC Goa begin with 2-2 draw

Goalkeeping blunders made the headlines as NorthEast United and FC Goa began their Indian Super League season 5’s campaign with a 2-2 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.

Ferran Corominas (14^th and 38^th) scored the two goals for FC Goa, while Federico Gallego (8^th) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (53^rd) chipped in for the Highlanders.

After failing to reach the playoffs even once in the preceding four ISL seasons, NorthEast United got off to a perfect start when the inexperienced Goa goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz handled the ball outside his believing Bartholomew to be in an offside position. But the referee blew no whistle for any off-side and instead awarded a free-kick to NorthEast.

Gallego stepped up and converted chipping the ball over Nawaz, who stood yards out of his line.

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The first may have still not overcome his own when NorthEast goalkeeper TP Rehenesh joined the party with an error of his own to gift a goal to the visitors. A Jackichand Singh cross floated into the home team’s box was straight into Rehenesh’s hands, but the 25-year-old’s butter-finger hands failed to collect it cleanly allowing Coronimas to sneak in and level terms for the Gaurs.

Jackichand then came close to scoring twice in the period that followed but while his first shot was deflected for a corner, the second went above the bar from a favourable position. That was before Coronimas stepped up once again to score his second of the night and hand Goa the lead.

Some comical midfield play by the hosts saw Hugo Bomous release the Spaniard through on goal, which Coronimas gladly took with full hands and scored, placing the ball past Rehenesh as Goa came back from behind to take the lead.

Playing at home and desperate for a victory, northeast came roaring into the second half and needed just eight minutes to break the game open when Bartholomew powered his header into the top corner of the net.

Like Goa in the first half, NorthEast came close to scoring immediately after it had equalised and Nikhil Kadam should have really put the game to bed when he found himself one-on-one with Nawaz. But the 18-year-old debutant goalkeeper made up for his earlier mistake with a brilliant one-handed dive to deny the winger.

NorthEast came close to scoring again from the resulting corner, but with the entire goal at his mercy, Grgic dragged his header wide in the 65^th minute.

Image Source: ISL