A late equaliser by youngster Ishan Pandita helped FC Goa play out a 1-1 draw against ATK Mohun Bagan in an Indian Super League match here on Sunday.
Substitute Pandita's goal came in the 85th minute after a 75th-minute free-kick strike from Edu Garcia had put ATKMB ahead.
Both the teams played an exciting and evenly fought match, trading missed opportunities.
The first half played itself out in predictable terms. FC Goa dominated possession -- they had 62 per cent of the ball in that period -- and sprayed passes around the pitch while ATKMB maintained their shape and ensured their opponents did not get many clear chances.
Both the sides, however, managed to find the crossbar in the opening half.
ATKMB went close in the 27th minute off a corner by Garcia. His delivery was headed into the ground by Subasish Bose. The ball bounced and looped over FC Goa keeper Naveen Kumar's head. Unfortunately for ATKMB, it struck the crossbar and bounced back into play.
FC Goa returned the favour just four minutes later when Seriton Fernandes and Alberto Noguera played a quick one-two, before sending the former free on the right flank.
Seriton looked to square the ball but was unable to find a teammate in the area. That moment of hesitation allowed Sandesh Jhingan to get a foot on the ball but the deflection took it over ATKMB keeper Arindam Bhattacharja and on to the crossbar.
FC Goa started looking more threatening after that. In the 36th minute, Bhattacharja was called into action, to stop a Saviour Gama shot.
FC Goa nearly scored soon after the restart. In the 50th minute, Seriton ran free down the right and looped a cross into the box, that eluded everyone. The ball crashed into the inside of the upright but somehow did not find the net.
Six minutes later, Bhattacharja was alerted again to save a deflected shot from Brandon Fernandes.
It was Juan Ferrando's men who were running the show after half time, but then, against the run of play, ATKMB found a goal.
Roy Krishna was fouled by James Donachie just outside the box. ATKMB has always been threatening from set-pieces this season and this time was no different. Garcia stepped up and powered one into the right-hand corner of the net.
When ATKMB score a late goal, it's usually the winner, but this time, there was a twist in the tale. With just minutes left on the clock, Pandita diverted it into the net from a corner to drag his team level.
NorthEast United return to winning ways, beat Jamshedpur FC 2-1
NorthEast United FC defeated Jamshedpur FC 2-1 to end their seven-game winless streak in the Indian Super League in Vasco on Sunday.
The win propelled NEUFC to the fifth spot in the standings with 16 points.
Ashutosh Mehta (36th minute) put NEUFC ahead with his first ISL goal before substitute Deshorn Brown (61st) doubled the tally for the Highlanders on his debut.
Jamshedpur skipper Stephen Hartley (89th) pulled one back for his side late in the game but despite pressing the NEUFC defence hard in the second half, Owen Coyle's side slumped to a third straight defeat.
NEUFC were the better side in the opening half, dominating possession and creating goal-scoring opportunities. They deservedly went into the break with a one-goal cushion which could have been more, but for some fine saves by JFC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh.
It was Jamshedpur who created the first big chance of the game in the eighth minute but NEUFC custodian Subasish Roy Chowdhury denied them the opener.
After Jamshedpur won a throw-in, Khassa Camara's poor clearance fell towards Nerijus Valskis, who found Jadhav just outside the box. The youngster, in turn, whipped a cross for Valskis, who controlled the ball and struck on the volley but saw his shot blocked by Chowdhury.
The best chance for NEUFC came in the 32nd minute. Luis Machado, a constant livewire in the first half, came close to breaking the deadlock but Rehenesh did well to keep it out thanks to a brilliant acrobatic effort.
Suhair VP delivered a cross for the Portuguese, who attempted an overhead kick which was parried away.
Just four minutes later, NEUFC made amends for it as they scored from a set-piece. Federico Gallego delivered a delicious cross from the corner flag and Mehta rose above his marker at the far post to head the ball into the net.
Jamshedpur started strong in the second half, pushing their opponents on the back foot. However, a defensive error saw them concede again.
Isaac Vanmalsawma, brought on at half-time, gave the ball away after a sloppy pass. Gallego received the ball from Machado and threaded a through pass for substitute Brown, who slotted it past Rehenesh.
Jamshedpur had a chance to cut down their deficit after Chowdhury put himself in trouble, courtesy of a miscued goal kick. The ball was intercepted by Valskis, who made a run into the box and shot on goal but Chowdhury redeemed himself with a crucial save.
Coyle's side received a glimmer of hope late on in the game after captain Hartley scored through a corner, which was his first for Jamshedpur.
They continued to test NEUFC and could have bagged a dramatic equaliser in injury time but Valskis fluffed the chance. Hartley played a long ball for the Lithuanian who blazed his header over the bar.
