Durand Cup Football Tournament :NEUFC share points with FC Goa

GUWAHATI: Northeast United FC (NEUFC) and FC Goa played 2-2 draw to share points in a Group D encounter of the Durand Cup Football Tournament:held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here today.

Manvir Singh opened account for Northeast as Rowllin Borges equalized for Goa in the injury time of first half. Sandesh Jhingan’s own goal gave Northeast United the lead for the second time in the match and Noah Sadaoui’s penalty helped Goa to secure a point from the game.

FC Goa Coach Benito Felix made seven changes to the starting line up with the Spanish duo of Carlos Martinez and Victor Rodriguez along with Udanta Singh leading the line. Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, wing backs Seriton Fer-nandes and Aiban Dohling and Raynier Fernandes coming into the lineup. Northeast United Head Coach Juan Ped-ro Benali made two changes in the first XI with Asheer Akhtar and Redeem Tlang coming in for Michael Zabaco and Rochharzela.

It was an even contest from the start as both teams were trying to create chances going forward by keeping pos-session. The first goal of the game came in 24th minute from a mistake by Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh. He de-layed to clear a back pass received and the keeper who was outside the box was closed down by Manvir Singh and pushed the ball into the net. FC Goa equalized in the final seconds of injury time of the first half. Rowllin Borges brilliantly shot the ball in the net after getting it from a corner taken by Brandon.

Goa started the second half carrying on the momentum from the first half but it was Northeast United who took the lead again. The match was 52nd minutes old when an own goal by Sandesh Jhingan helped the local outfit to go ahead again.

Goa earned a penalty in the 80 minutes after Noah Sadaoui was fouled by Mohammed Irshad inside the box. Noah converted the penalty to equalize the score for FC Goa. In the remaining period of the game FC Goa made a series of attacks to score the winning goal but the defence of North East was solid with the goalkeeper Mirshad making some good saves.

Both teams have four points each after two matches but FC Goa takes the top spot on virtue of goal difference.

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