Alfaro double strike makes it two in row for Highlanders

by Chittu Shetty October 4, 2016

A horrible day between sticks for FC Goa Keeper, as Alfaro brace gives Northeast their second win in as many games

Despite getting numerous chances on goal, FC Goa failed to break an excellent Subroto between the sticks, while on the other hand, a terrible mistake in first half and poor technique in the second from FC Goa keeper was enough for highlanders as they romped home with 2-0 victory.

Northeast had only one surprising change as Nicolaz velez was dropped to bench in place of defensive midfielder Wellington priori as Coach Vingada went with just one up front in Alfaro.

Reeling from injuries to key players in Robin Singh, Gregory Arnolin, Denzil franco, Subhasish Roy Chowdhary and Luciano Sobrosa gave zico limited options as gaurs lined up in 4-3-3 formation with Joffre, Mandar and Rafael in the front, Marquee player Lucio started at the defence along with Raju Gaikwad, Fulgano Cordoza and Rafael Dumas.

The match began at an exciting pace with end-to end football, but it was home side that got the first big opportunity when Romaric’s crossed to Alfaro who mistimed the header, the loose ball fell on to Katsumi yusa, but the Mohan Bagan striker failed to hit it past the keeper.

However in the 20 minute, a routine back pass to keeper Kattimani ended in a comical fashion as the keeper panicked at an onrushing Alfaro and his clearance rebounded off the alfaro’s body to hand the highlander an early lead.

At almost half hour mark, Zokora was introduced for an injured Alves. Goans soon started keeping possession but failed to make a clear impact. Late in the first half, Mandar dribbled past Reagan singh and squared it for joffre, whose shot was palmed away by the Paul. First half ended at 1-0 with Northeast looking at their first ever win against the Goan side.

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Second half started with Romeo coming in for Sanjay Balmuchu, as goa changed to 4-4-1-1 formation. Romeo and Mandar were deployed as wingers while Joffre played as a number ten.

Around 55^th minute, Subrata Paul pulled off a brilliant save against a long range effort from Trindade. Minutes later, Paul came to rescue again when inside the box, Mandar’s first time shot was parried away to safety but goans made another attempt through Trindade but once again Paul diving at full stretch keep it away.

Around 62th minute, Nazary came up with brilliant sideway heel kick cutting open Goan defence as Alfaro moved forward to put the ball between the kattimani’s legs in to net as the home crowd went into frenzy

Two goals down, Zico introduced Reinaldo in search of that goal that was eluding them all through the night. The change seemed to work as goan went more forward with their attacks, missing quite a few chances at the final third.

Sensing trouble at the back end, Vingada brought in Nicolas Velez in to the game, and it seemed to work, around 80^th minute, Velez paraded into the penalty box going past goan defender with his pace and cut back a low cross for an unmarked onrushing Alfaro but the striker failed to make it his third goal of the evening, as his shot was cleared by the last defender.

At the other end, Cesar tried a shot on goal from far out but did not trouble Paul as it went high off the bar. At the end, despite numerous crosses from Mandar in the dying minutes, FC Goa failed to break a resilient Northeast defence, as the highlanders collected their second victory on the row.

NEUFC 2 (Alfaro 20′,62′) – 0 FC Goa