Bambolim: Hernan Santana’s delightful free-kick failed to hand NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) a win as they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Goa in their ISL encounter here Friday. Santana curled in a superb free-kick in just the second minute of the game but Airan Cabrera’s goal in the 39th minute helped FC Goa draw level.
There were no goals in the second half, meaning FC Goa moved up a rung to eighth place having 13 points from 11 games while NEUFC remained 10th with nine points from 11 games.
NEUFC were off to a flying start courtesy of Santana’s individual brilliance. The 31-year old Spaniard curled in a delectable free-kick at the near post leaving Dheeraj Moirangthem with no chance as the ball pinged in off the crossbar.
It was a frantic start to the game and just the early push NEUFC needed. Goa tried to settle down by playing more passes in midfield but NEUFC were not ready to rest on the slender lead as Deshorn Brown missed the target after beating two defenders.
Goa relied on the excellent Jorge Ortiz to deliver the goods and the Spaniard got past Provat Lakra to send a teasing ball inside the box but Mirshad Michu was alert to avert the danger at the right time.
NEUFC looked in fine touch when Brown and Suhair Vadakkepeedika combined for the latter to see his effort deflect off a few Goa shirts for a corner.
Goa slowly started growing into the game and got the equaliser moments before the half time whistle when Cabrera nodded in a Alberto Noguera corner with no one marking him.
In the second period, Goa looked the more threatening side with Ortiz and Cabrera combining brilliantly to keep NEUFC defence tenterhooks.
There were chances few and far between for the Highlanders and FC Goa could not make the most of their attacking display as they had to share the spoils in the end with their rivals.