Margao (Goa), (Asian independent) Youngster Ishan Pandita scored a late equaliser for FC Goa as they played out a 1-1 draw against ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Fatorda Stadium here on Sunday.
Substitute Pandita’s goal came in the 85th minute after a 75th-minute free-kick from Edu Garcia had put Bagan ahead. Coincidentally, Pandita had also scored the winner for Goa against Hyderabad coming on as a substitute.
Both teams played out an exciting and evenly fought match which witnessed both ride on near goals, trading missed opportunities.
The first half played itself out in predictable terms. Goa dominated possession – they had 62 per cent of the ball in that period – and sprayed passes around the pitch while Bagan maintained their shape and ensured their opponents were restricted to mostly hopeful shots from outside the box. But that was not to say that neither team had clear-cut chances – both of them managed to find the crossbar in the opening half.
Bagan went close in the 27th minute off a corner by Garcia. His delivery was headed into the ground by Subasish Bose. The ball bounced up and looped over Goa keeper Naveen Kumar’s head. Unfortunately for Bagan, it struck the crossbar and bounced back into play.
Goa returned the favour just four minutes later when Seriton Fernandes and Alberto Noguera played a quick one-two, before sending the former free on the right flank. Seriton looked to square the ball but was unable to find a teammate in the area. That second of hesitation allowed Sandesh Jhingan to get a foot to Seriton’s hopeful ball but the deflection took it over Bagan keeper Arindam Bhattacharja and on to the crossbar.
Goa started looking more threatening as the first half approached its conclusion. In the 36th minute, Bhattacharja was called into action, to stop a Saviour Gama shot. Bagan successfully held fort as the first-half finished goalless.
Goa nearly scored soon after the restart. In the 50th minute, Seriton ran free down the right and looped a cross into the box, that eluded everyone. The ball crashed into the inside of the upright but somehow managed to not go in. Six minutes later, Bhattacharja was alerted again to save a deflected shot from Brandon Fernandes.
It was Juan Ferrando’s men who were running the show after halftime, but then, totally against the run of play, Bagan found a goal. Roy Krishna was fouled by James Donachie just outside the box. Bagan has always been threatening from set-pieces this season and this time was no different. Garcia stepped up and powered one into the right-hand corner of the net.
When Bagan score a late goal, it’s usually the winner, but this time, there was a twist in the tale. With just minutes left on the clock, Pandita diverted it into the net from a corner to drag his team level.
