How Brandon Fernandes, Alberto Noguera sparked FC Goa comeback

In less than 10 minutes of the duo's arrival in second half, the Gaurs scored back-to-back goals to earn the draw.

The Gaurs' first game in their ‘new era’ turned out to be a real roller-coaster ride in which they experienced a ton of highs and lows. FC Goa played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC, which can be adjudged as the best game in the Indian Super League (ISL) this season so far.

Playing against a stubborn BFC side, the Gaurs emerged from the brink of despair to grind out a result which will effectively feel like a win for new coach Juan Ferrando. The tactician definitely put forward a surprising starting XI for his first game with a predictable 4-2-3-1 shape, but ended up benching creator-in-chief Brandon Fernandes and star foreigner Alberto Noguera.

Incidentally, FC Goa missed the presence of those two stars the most in a disappointing first hour. Bengaluru FC, having setup in a rugged 4-5-1 shape, were more than happy to tussle out a frustrating game and basically control the tempo of play. The Blues’ superiority from set-pieces and in aerial battles paid dividends, with both goals from Cleiton Silva and Juanan stemming from Goa’s inability to defend high balls.

But, ironically, that second goal opened up more inroads for Goa than when they were losing 0-1 or just being held to a draw. Cuadrat, like the cautious tactician he is, tried to seal off the game by effectively parking the bus after substituting Udanta Singh and bringing on Rahul Bheke. Bengaluru lost a prime counter-attacking threat and dropped deeper, allowing the Gaurs to orchestrate the game much more freely than before.

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It was after conceding that second goal when Ferrando proved his tactical prowess. He replaced Princeton Rebello with Brandon Fernandes and soon subbed in midfielder Alberto Noguera for defender in James Donachie in a final hail mary to scrap out a positive result from the game. Eventually, both his positive substitutions outwitted the negativity Bengaluru tried to enforce into the game.

Fernandes, as he had finished last season’s league phase, played with a swagger about him even in a difficult predicament. He was gifted enough space to cause damage and so he did in the 66th minute, linking-up brilliantly with Noguera – who tricked the entire BFC defence to send the clinical Igor Angulo through on goal – allowing the Spaniard to blast one past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

ALSO READ: Igor Angulo brace as FC Goa fight back to hold Bengaluru FC

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Suddenly, FC Goa had some life in them. The attacking changes brought dynamism and they moved away from their predictable pattern. With BFC stioll reeling from the first goal, Brandon was once again afforded too much space and played a defence-splitting pass to another substitute Alexander Jesuraj.

The former Chennai City man whipped in a vicious cross into the middle that was chested in by Angulo. The comeback was complete and Goa were hungry for more. At this point, Cuadrat went into self-preservation mode and took off his goalscorer Silva to bring on another centre-back – Pratik Chaudhari. Dimas Delgado too was introduced to help even the midfield battle, but the momentum was on Goa’s side.

The Gaurs kept chugging forward and Noguera was at the heart of everything positive for them. The midfielder created two more goalscoring chances which nobody was able to capitalize on. Brandon also maintained efficiency in midfield, moving the ball forward way better than the inexperienced Rebello had managed before him.

FC Goa had a late chance to win it in added-time, when Jorge Ortiz took an ambitious shot on goal, but solid Sandhu saved his side from embarrassment. In the end, the former champions had to settle for a draw – but the sublime fightback and excellent attitude displayed after the substitutions mean that the Gaurs go into the next few games brimming with confidence. Ferrando, still learning the trade of Indian football, has at least learnt one key lesson now – play Brandon and Noguera together and experience chances flow in attack.