Battling NorthEast United hold Goa to draw, add another twist in playoffs saga

The Highlanders came back from behind twice to earn a point on the west coast.

FC Goa and NorthEast United FC had to settle for a point each after they played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday.

Watch: FC Goa 2-2 NorthEast United highlights

Three minutes before the half-time whistle, Mandar Rao Dessai put the home side ahead but the visitors equalised through Marcinho at the stroke of the lemon break. The second half followed the same pattern, FC Goa regained the lead through Coro before substitute John Mosquera levelled the score for NorthEast United.

After a timid start to the game, Dessai converted a low cross from Jonathan Cardozo in the box after a deflection from NorthEast United defender Martin Diaz. The deflection found Dessai, who had time to take a touch before firing it low past the goalkeeper. 

FC Goa looked set to take the lead into the break. But just before the half-time whistle, the visitors found the equaliser through their Brazilian import Marcinho. A cross into the box by Reagan Singh was deflected of Cezario and fell in the path of  Halicharan Narzary, who squared across the goal for Marcinho to tap the ball home.

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In the second half, the home side regained the lead in the 53rd minute through Coro's 13th strike of the season.  Ahmed Jahouh started the move with a long ball to find Manuel Lanzarote free on the left and he instinctively found his striker charging towards goal at the far post to finish off the move.

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After going behind for the second time in the game, NorthEast United threw caution to the wind to find the equaliser. In the 66th minute, Avram Grant brought on John Mosquera to replace Danilo Lopes and it proved to be a positive move. Just five minutes after coming on to the field, Mosquera brought his team level after Seiminlen Doungel’s square pass gave him an easy opportunity to tap into the net.

In the final third of the game, both sides tried to find a winner but failed to create enough clear-cut chances.