FC Goa went down fighting to Hatta Club

Reinaldo scored his third goal to lead the Gaurs’ half comeback in the final pre-season friendly in Dubai as part of the Goan franchise’s preparation for season 2 of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Dubai, September 16, 2015: FC Goa fought back with two late goals scored by Reinaldo and Victor Simoes in the 4-2 defeat to Hatta Club at the Hatta Stadium to conclude the Dubai sojourn, on Sunday.
After the match against Al Jazeera Club was cancelled due to the untimely demise of Sheikh Rashid, son of Sheikh Mohammed-Prime Minister of UAE, Goa were awarded the opportunity to play their final friendly in Dubai against Hatta Club.
The prior matches resulted in a 2-2 against Al Khaleej and 2-1 win over Al Shabab on Tuesday was the only win in the four fixtures eventually played in Dubai.
Zico fielded almost a similar starting line-up that drew 1-1 against Ajman Club on on Wednesday, with Laxmikant Kattimani returning in the goal in place of Elinton Andrade who were handed starts in alternate matches; the same was the case for most of the squad.
Both Hatta and Goa began the tie on the offensive note with Kattimani requiring to make an early save while Darryl Duffy was handed a good chance by Narayan Das in the 23rd minute but only for the Scottish striker to be robed of possession in the center of the box.
Three minutes later, Hatta scored their first goal of the evening before Reinaldo’s header off a Jofre Mateu Gonsalvez corner was saved by the UAE Division 1 team’s goalkeeper in the 33rd minute.
Kattimani holds his ground in another attempt by the team known as Tornado in the next minute and then Gregory Arnolin saw his header go wide of the target after being found by Leo Moura.
Goa’s second disappointment before the half-time break was caused by a mix up between Arnolin and Das which the home team took advantage of to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute.
Hatta Club right away resumed the second half with a third goal and held with a strong backline to keep the Goans frustrated despite Jofre’s curling free-kick coming ever so close to finding the back of the net in the 58th minute.
Brazilian-born Portuguese goalkeeper Andrade, who made 67 saves in six matches in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, replaced Kattimani at the hour mark but that didn’t stop the home side from scoring their fourth goal in the 64th minute.
Zico’s team continued to rue their missed chances as Romeo Fernandes narrowly failed to find the target after being setup by Reinaldo.
However, a consolation goal eventually came for FC Goa in the 74th minute as Reinaldo converted after getting on the end of a good pass by substitute Mandar Rao Dessai.
The ISL team continued their fight back in the match with another goal in a matter of minutes. Victor Simoes, who replaced Reinaldo, stepped up to score from the 12 yard mark in the 86th minute after he was brought down in the Hatta box for a penalty.
FC Goa showed a promise similar to the comeback in last season’s ISL wherein they finished as semi-finalists after languishing at the bottom of the standings at one stage of the tournament in its inaugural edition.
Zico and Co. will return to Goa on 22 September 2015 for their penultimate stage preparations ahead of the upcoming ISL season 2 wherein the Goans host Delhi Dynamos FC on 4 October in their first fixture.
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Urvi and Sakshi shine as Maharashtra clinches second win of Senior Womens NFC
Second half goals from Urvi Salunkhe and Sakshi Hiwale gives Maharashtra a convincing 2-0 victory against Bihar in the ongoing 28th Senior Women’s National Football Championship. Coming on the back…
Spurs in India: Tottenham Hotspur legends Ledley King and Ossie Ardiles to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru
Tottenham Hotspur legends Ledley King and Ossie Ardiles will be visiting India to support a series of events and activities arranged by the Club to engage with fans and promote…
Feature / MFA / MFA Super League / Recommended
Parel’s Pride: Soccer Saga FC’s inspiring climb in Mumbai’s Football Hierarchy
In the bustling heart of Parel, Mumbai, a footballing revolution quietly took root in 2016 when Soccer Saga FC was born. What started as a humble initiative aimed at nurturing…
Hemang Jadhav’s late goal gives Young Guns 1-0 win over Spartans in nail-biting clash
A second half goal from skipper Hemang Jadhav gives Young Guns (Rhema) a hard fought win as the club jumps to 2nd spot in the league table on par on…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Mumbai Premier League: Maharashtra Oranje FC claims 4-0 win over JMJ SC
In a surprising turn of events during the Mumbai Premier League encounter, Maharashtra Oranje FC secured a 4-0 win against JMJ SC, but not in the manner they had hoped…
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Samrudhi Katkole stars with hat-trick as Maharashtra beat Himachal Pradesh 6-0 in Senior Womens NFC
A hattrick from Samrudhi Katkole and a brace from Aishwarya Jagtap help Maharashtra continue its winning form with a resounding 6-0 triumph over Himachal Pradesh in the ongoing Senior Women’s…
Indian football on the brink of history, agree AIFF president and Arsene Wenger
MUMBAI: AIFF President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Mr. Arsene Wenger addressed the media in the city the day after India’s FIFA World Cup Qualifier Round…
MFA Super League: Maharashtra Oranje FC (U23) secures dominant 3-0 win over ICL Youngstars
In a riveting MFA Super League encounter, Maharashtra Oranje FC (U23) rode on super sub Vivek Tiwari brace and a goal from Rahul to pick a comprehensive 3-0 victory against ICL Youngstars side.
Hyderabad FC hopes to start afresh as Sea of Yellow awaits to welcome them against KBFC
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 action returns to the hotbed of footballing fandom as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi will witness the clash between the Kerala Blasters FC…
Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC seek timely revivals as ISL action resumes post international break
Chennaiyin FC will host East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, November 25, 2023, as the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 action after international break….
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…