Image Source : TWITTER/FCGOAOFFICIAL FC Goa additionally sorely missed their first-choice central defenders, Ivan Gonzalez (suspension) and James Donachie (damage).
SC East Bengal (SCEB) didn’t make use of a numerical benefit to accept a 1-1 draw in opposition to FC Goa of their reverse leg Indian Super League conflict on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, right here on Friday.
Spanish centre ahead Igor Angulo (thirty ninth minute) rounded off Debjit Majumder after being left unmarked to offer the Gaurs a first-half lead.
But they failed to carry on to the lead and SCEB discovered the equaliser within the sixty fifth minute when skipper Daniel Fox pulled his staff again from a detailed vary strike.
The alternative got here from a free-kick that Bright Enobakhare received on the left flank earlier than Anthony Pilkington delivered an excellent cross into the field. FC Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh didn’t catch it and the unfastened ball was blasted into the again of the web by Fox.
A minute later, the Gaurs skipper Edu Bedia was despatched off following a second reserving following an unsightly sort out on Pilkington from behind.
The red-and-gold pushed laborious for a lead however some poor ending coupled with Dheeraj’s sharp goalkeeping ensured a 1-1 stalemate by the 2 groups for the second time this season.
FC Goa now have stretched their unbeaten streak to seven video games, and remained at third place with 21 factors from 14 matches.
SCEB are winless from 4 matches to stay on tenth spot with 13 factors from 14 matches and the end result dealt a giant blow to their play-off aspirations.
It was drama early on as SCEB had the possibility to take the lead after profitable a penalty within the nineteenth second.
The Gaurs goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh dived the flawed means however Anthony Pilkington bottled the possibility, taking pictures the ball far off the put up.
It summed up the story for Robbie Fowler’s staff as his wards lacked the leading edge up entrance and missed a slew of possibilities in opposition to the 10-man Gaurs.
Nigerian ahead Bright Enobakhare, who had struck a stunner of their 1-1 draw within the first-leg, appeared threatening up entrance for SCEB however they lacked the sting with the likes of Pilkington and Jeje Lalpekhlua squandering quite a few possibilities.
FC Goa missed the presence of coach Juan Ferrando on the touchline after the Spaniard was suspended in opposition to Kerala Blasters. In his absence, assistant coach Clifford Miranda marshalled the aspect.
FC Goa additionally sorely missed their first-choice central defenders, Ivan Gonzalez (suspension) and James Donachie (damage).