Sylla, Angulo score as Goa hold NorthEast Utd

NEW DELHI: NorthEast United rose to the second place in ISL table after a 1-1 draw with FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday. The result extended their unbeaten run to three games. NEUFC’s Idrissa Sylla give his team the lead in the 40th minute with a goal from the spot before Igor Angulo restored parity for Goa three minutes later.

Brandon Fernandes was handed his first start of the season along with Aibanbha Kupar Dohling as Goa’s manager Juan Ferrando made three changes to the side which lost to Mumbai City FC.

Goa were keen to impose themselves and came close in the fifth minute. Fernandes played a long diagonal pass from inside his own half to find Mendoza on the flank, but the latter shot straight at keeper Subhasish

Chowdhury.

FC Goa were the better side in the first quarter enjoying almost 70 percent possession. They were all over NorthEast territory trying to create spaces.

The NorthEast United relied mostly on counter-attacks. At the half-hour mark, they nearly scored but Sylla couldn’t keep his composure as he headed Britto’s deflected cross over the bar. Sylla’s presence troubled Goa’s defence. And the Guinean earned a penalty in the 39th minute when he was tripped by Ivan Gonzalez. Sylla, who had to retake his penalty, kept his cool to put his side ahead in the game, scoring his third goal of the season.

Their joy was short-lived as Goa restored parity in the 43rd. Edu Bedia found Fernandes on the left, who took on Lakra and hooked a low cross into the box, where Angulo flicked it into the goal.