In a thrilling encounter during the Durand Cup on Saturday, Northeast United FC managed to secure a 2-2 draw against FC Goa, largely aided by an unexpected own goal by the defender, Sandesh Jhingan.
The match's momentum ebbed and flowed, starting with Manvir Singh striking first for Northeast United. Rowllin Borges, showcasing remarkable skill, responded for FC Goa, leveling the scores just before halftime. But the game's most dramatic moment came when Jhingan inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, pushing Northeast into the lead. Goa's chances seemed bleak until Noah Sadaoui confidently converted a penalty, balancing the scoreboard once again.
With both teams currently sitting on four points each after two matches, FC Goa has a slight edge, occupying the top position due to their superior goal difference. The face-off between the two teams was intense from the get-go. Both sides exhibited tactical gameplay, striving to maintain possession and constantly seeking opportunities to breach the opponent's defense. Long-range shots dominated the initial phase, as neither side managed to carve out precise opportunities.
The 24th-minute shocker for Goa came when their goalkeeper, Dheeraj Singh, misjudged a back pass, only for Manvir Singh to capitalize on the error, giving Northeast the lead.
FC Goa's response was swift and precise. As the first half neared its conclusion, Brandon's pinpoint corner found Borges, who executed a perfect volley, ensuring the ball found its place in the top corner.
However, the second half's commencement saw a twist. Even as FC Goa tried to ride on their momentum, Northeast took advantage again. Manvir Singh's low cross was inadvertently deflected into the goal by Jhingan, who was under substantial pressure from Parthib Gogoi.
Despite this setback, FC Goa commanded possession but struggled to create breakthrough opportunities. It took a foul on Noah inside the box by Mohammed Irshad to give them a glimmer of hope. Noah didn't falter and equalized for FC Goa.
As the match neared its end, FC Goa's relentless attempts to find a winner were stymied by the sturdy defense of the Highlanders, with their goalkeeper Mirshad pulling off some commendable saves.
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