Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro struck twice to help NorthEast United FC beat FC Goa 2-0 and register their second consecutive win in the Indian Super League football in Guwahati on Tuesday.
FC Goa goalkeeper Laxmikanth Kattimani handed NorthEast United the lead on a platter in the 20th minute, thanks to a howler, when his desperate clearance deflected from Emiliano Alfaro into his own goal.
Alfaro struck again in the 62nd minute to take the game away from FC Goa's reach at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
NorthEast United had beaten Kerala Blasters in their campaign opener at the same venue on October 1.
Both the teams were cagey at the start and took time to ascertain each other's strengths and weaknesses.
The first chance of the day went to NorthEast United in the 12th minute. A fine cross from Koffi Christian saw Katsumi Yusa going for a shot but Kattimani made a diving safe.
NorthEast United did not have to wait for too long for the opening goal which was a gift from the FC Goa goalkeeper.
Captain Lucio's back-pass for the Goa goalkeeper should have been routine clearance, instead, Kattimani waited on the ball, and when he tried to clear, the ball struck Alfaro and deflected into the goal much to the joy of the home crowd.
FC Goa tried to fight their way back and created two good chances towards the closing stages of the first half.
In the second session, FC Goa continued to attack and NorthEast goalkeeper Subrato Paul had to make a double save. Mandar was the first to test Paul from close range and then a long ranger from Trindade Goncalves was again parried away by the goalkeeper.
NorthEast increased their lead in the 62nd minute with some brilliant play. A through ball from just beyond the half-way mark was flicked into Alfaro's path by Holicharan Narzary and the Uruguayan striker did well to beat Kattimani from a narrow angle. The ball went through Kattiman's legs into the net.
Alfaro should have scored his hat-trick in the 79th minute when he was within handshaking distance of the goal but his shot was saved on the line by Raju Gaekwad.
