FC Goa script another comeback to win 2-1 against Hyderabad FC

FC Goa jumped up to third on the table thanks to another come-from-behind win, this time against Hyderabad FC. It was the second game in a row that the Gaurs ended up 2-1 winners, scoring the winner in added-on time on both occasions.

After delivering all three points against Jamshedpur in the last game, it was Igor Angulo again delivering the winner for FC Goa, this time too in injury time. 

Hyderabad went ahead in the 58th minute thanks to a strike from Aridane Santana. The Gaurs though came roaring back as goals from Ishan Pandita and Igor Angulo in quick succession helped the ‘away’ side snatch all three points.

Cagy affair to begin

Juan Ferrando made one change to the line-up from the one that took on Jamshedpur FC last time around. In came Lenny Rodrigues in place of Princeton Rebello.

The Gaurs looked the sprier of the two teams to start the game with two half-chances falling to the defending ISL League champions in the opening 10 minutes, both from set-pieces. The game, though largely remained confined to midfield battles for the first 30 minutes.

The first real goalscoring opportunity of the first half fell to the Gaurs at the back end of the first half when Angulo got to the end of a Brandon Fernandes cross from the left. The Spaniard though was not able to get his bearings right and saw his header sail over the crossbar.

The 36-year-old had another crack at goal in the dying minutes of the game after Goa had intercepted the ball high up the pitch. This time his powerful shot was blocked by Hyderabad’s Odei Onaindia.

That marked the final action of note in the first 45 - the game remaining goalless at the break.

All action second half 

The first big opportunity in the second half came Hyderabad’s way in the 54th minute. Halicharan Narzary set up João Victor on the counter. The midfielder’s attempt on goal was thwarted by an alert Mohammad Nawaz in the FC Goa goal.

The Nizams though broke the deadlock in the 58th minute thanks to a goal from Aridane Santana. A good ball from the right wing from Ashish Rai was met by a powerful header from the Spaniard to give his side the lead.

The designated home side had another crack at goal four minutes later. It was again Aridane - this time with a shot from range which Nawaz did well to palm it over the crossbar. 

The Gaurs nearly pulled it back in the 70th minute of the game. Angulo did well to dispossess Onaindia before setting up Brandon on the right wing. The Indian international whipped a brilliant ball into the centre where Jorge Ortiz was a whisker from getting the game back on level terms

Goa went full thrust in the lookout for an equaliser in the latter stages of the game and their efforts finally bore fruit in the 87th minute.

An inspired substitution from Juan Ferrando saw Ishan Pandita come on for Seriton Fernandes. And the forward delivered with his very first touch - seconds into the game. Pandita was able to get at the end of Edu Bedia’s freekick before guiding the ball beyond the keeper via a brilliantly flicked header. 

The comeback was then complete in the 1st minute of added-on time. Noguera did well to find space at the centre of the park before finding Angulo on the run. The forward took the ball in his stride and then cut back brilliantly to take Onaindia out of the equation. The Spaniard then used his weaker right foot to coolly slot the ball past Laxmikant Kattimani in the Hyderabad goal.

The fourth win of the campaign for the Gaurs sees them head into 2021 third on the table with 14 points from their 9 games. They will now look to make it three wins on the trot when they take on SC East Bengal on 6th January. That game is slated for a 7:30 PM kickoff.