FC Goa and NorthEast United FC shared a point each after settling to a 2-2 draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) at the Fatorda Stadium here on Sunday.
Mandar Rao Desai put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute but the visitors equalised through Marcinho at the stroke of the break. FC Goa regained the lead through Ferran Corominas Telechea before substitute John Mosquera leveled the score for NE United.
Following the draw, Goa remained in the fifth spot with 20 points from 12 games, while NE Unnited were static at the ninth position with 11 points from 12 matches.
After a timid start to the game, Desai 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 Holicharan Narzary, who squared across the goal for Marcinho to tap the ball home.
In the second half, the home side regained the lead in the 53rd minute through Corominas' 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, NE United threw caution to the wind to find the equaliser. In the 66th minute, coach 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.
--IANS
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