ISL 2018-19: NorthEast United FC and FC Goa play out a thrilling 2-2 draw

FC Goa, as is their nature, will play a possession-based game and NorthEast United will look to exploit them on the counter

7:55 PM

Minute 21 -- NorthEast's Keegan tries to test the Goan goalkeeper from a distance but the shot is tame and is dealt with comfortably by Nawaz

7:54 PM

Minute 20 -- Goa control the proccedings now as they pass back and forth, trying to spot a gap in the NorthEast defence.

7:52 PM

Minute 18 -- Goa on attack again. Mandar sprints down the left flank, goes to the byline and tries to pass a ball into the box but his pass his cut out

7:52 PM

Minute 18 - It's all level here in Guwahati after that Coro goal. Although, the replay does show that Coro's final touch might have been with his hand. Doesn't matter anymore though. The goal has been awarded. 

7:48 PM

Minute 13 (GOAL!!)-- Coro scores for FC Goa. It's 1-1. A tricky ball is dipped into the box and Coro leapt into the sky and He (his belly?) scored the goal. It's all level now here

7:43 PM

Minute 7 (GOAL!!)-- NorthEast FC score and how!!!! The Goan keeper looses his concentration and hands the ball off his line, maybe he thought it was offside. The freekick is awarded, taken quickly and Federico Gallego scores  with the goalkeeper nowhere near the scene. NorthEast 1-Goa 0

7:39 PM

Minute 5 -- Goa get a corner which is floated into the mix. The keeper comes a long way off his line to smother the ball but clashes with a Goan player in the process. NorthEast players protest

7:37 PM

Minute 4 -- Goa start strongly, as you would expect, given the firepower theyhave up front.

7:21 PM

7:15 PM

Warmups underway at at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati

7:13 PM

NorthEast United FC bench- Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Pawan Kumar, Augustine Okrah, Juan Mascia, Gurwinder Singh, Provat Lakra, Robert Lalthlamuana.

 

FC Goa bench - Miguel Fernandez, Pratesh Shirodkar, Liston Colaco, Laxmikant Kattimani, Manvir Singh, Mohamed Ali, Nirmal Chettri.

7:08 PM

7:00 PM

FC Goa: FC Goa have a measure of continuity about them as head coach Sergio Lobera takes charge of the team for a second successive season

 

FC Goa, on the other hand, have a settled feel about them with most of their key players retained from last season's topscorer Ferran Corominas will be the main man upfront and will be supported by Miguel Palanca and Hugo Boumous.

 

Ahmed Jahouh will be the anchor man in midfield while Lenny Rodrigues and company look to complement the Moroccan.

 

Goa's defence had come under the scanner previous season and was their Achilles' heel. A prolific attack bailed them out on many occasions but Lobera will be keen to ensure they are more solid at the back this time around, without compromising on their attacking instinct.

7:00 PM

NorthEast United FC: The hosts will be playing under Eelco Schattorie who has been handed the reins.

 

Schattorie had come in as an assistant coach last season for NorthEast United FC after the departure of Joao de Deus. They now sport a completely different look with former PSG striker Bartholomew Ogbeche being their most notable signing.

 

The Nigerian international is expected to be their main threat up front and will look to improve their efficiency in front of goal.

 

Croatian duo of Mato Grgic and Mislav Komorski will marshal the defence with Rowllin Borges playing the anchor role in midfield.

6:49 PM

The starting XIs are out!