ISL 3: Romeo stuns Northeast in Injury time

Romeo

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

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.

Also Read: MDFA Elite Division 2016-17: The Big Preview

Second Half started with visitors taking charge and in the 50th 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 72nd 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’)

SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players

SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…

Share

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…

Share

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.

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share