ISL 3: Romeo stuns Northeast in Injury time

by Chittu Shetty November 12, 2016

Goals from Robin Singh and Romeo cancelled Seityasen’s lead for Northeast as FC Goa came from behind to register their first home win of the season, after in a historic move, Zico decided to start nine Indians in the starting lineup.

Romeo and Robin combined well to score and assist each other

Goa finally managed to register a win at home in an enthralling game, where the away team looked more likely to take all three points. A second half goal by Seityasen had put Nelo Vingada’s Northeast into the lead, but Robin Singh drew parity soon enough to level terms before in another event of rash play by Goa, Sahil Tavora had leave the field after having shown two yellow cards. The game seemed to have heading into stale mate before, in what was supposed to be the last play of the game, Romeo fired home the goal as luck finally turned in favour of the home side.

Hit by Injuries, Bans and suspensions, FC Goa coach Zico started with nine Indians in the lineup. While Gregory Arnolin and Richarlyson Barbosa were suspended, Luciano Sabrosa and Rafael Dumas were banned for two games. FC Goa had just two foreigners in their ranks in Trindade and Rafael Coelho with Joffre injured.

For Northeast, Nelo Vingada had five changes to his side that lost against Mumbai City FC. While returning Nicolas Velez replaced the suspended Emiliano Alfaro, Subrata Paul replaced Welligton Gomes. Reagan Singh, Seityasen Singh and Robert Cullen came in for Nirmal Chettri, Robin Gurung and Sumeet Passi.

The Home side started better with the first chance coming to Romeo, whose shot went wide. At the other end, a brief one-two between Katsumi and Cullen ended with Cullen crossing it for Velez, whose header was blocked by Debabrata Roy.

The Visitors slowly started taking control of the game, few moments later, Holicharan’s cross from the right was met by Rowlin Borges inside the box, whose downward header was saved by Kattimani.

For Goa, Robin Singh had the best chance when he went past Mailson Alves only to see his shot at the near post to be kept out by Subrata.

In the 38th minute, Luck was in favor of Goa has the visitors hit the crossbar twice within a minute. Gustavo Lazzaretti first headed Yusa’s cross from the right to the post, the ball then went to Cullen whose cross from the left saw Alves’ header bounce off the horizontal post again to deny highlanders the lead.

Kattimani was brilliant on the day as he saved another goal bound shot from Cullen as Goa went into the break holding on to a 0-0 score-line.

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Second Half started with visitors taking charge and in the 50^th minute the Nelo Vingada’s side took the lead. Katsumi’s cross was headed away by Robin Singh but the ball fell to Seityasen at the edge of the box, the midfielder’s shot deflected from Trindade to go past the outstretched hand of Kattimani as Northeast took the lead.

After few missed chances from Northeast, Goa were back in level terms after Romeo on the right went past Narzary and passed it to an unmarked Robin Singh who just had to tap the ball past Subrata.

Minutes later, Northeast had golden chance to take back the lead when Narzary’s cross found Velez unmarked but the strikers shot was deflected for a corner by an alert Kattimani.

In the 72^nd minute, Goa were once again reduced to ten men after Salil Tavora was shown his second yellow of the night for a bad foul on the Seityasen. Zico soon decided to bring in Fulgano Cardoza to shut out the game with a draw while Nelo Vingada brought on Romaric and Sumit Passi to take on the man advantage.

Romaric soon took a shot from a distance but his powerful strike was caught on second attempt by Kattimani who was deservingly named Hero of the match. Three minutes before the end of Normal time, Goa had golden chance to take the lead when Coelho’s brilliant cross just needed a tap in from an onrushing Robin but the striker missed the chance completely to the disappointment of the home fans.

As the game was heading towards draw, In what was possibly the last move of the game in seconds before end of injury time, Robin singh fed Romeo with a brilliant through ball as he went on  diagonal run to get free of his marker. With just Keeper to beat and with another Goan player alongside, Romeo showed beautiful skills to get past the diving Keeper before slotting home in the empty net.

The game ended with Goans taking an unlikely win despite being man down and at disadvantage of missing important players to condemn the highlanders to their fourth continuous defeat.

FC Goa 2 (Robin Singh 62’, Romeo 90+4’) – 1 Northeast United FC (Seityasen 50’)