NorthEast United and FC Goa draw 1-1 in ISL

Guwahati, Oct 19 (IANS) Hosts NorthEast United FC and FC Goa played out a 1-1 draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here Sunday.

With the draw, NorthEast United FC rose to second spot in the standings with four points from three matches while FC Goa were sixth with one point after two matches.

FC Goa went ahead in the 17th minute through defender Gregory but the NorthEast side came back on level terms when their forward Koke converting a penalty in the 36th minute. The match was tied 1-1 at half-time.

FC Goa took the lead when opponent goalkeeper Rehenesh spilled a regulation take. Andre dos Santos' free-kick should have been easily grasped by the Kerala keeper but he spilled under pressure for striker Ranti Martins, only for Gregory to score of a resultant melee.

But the home team didn't buckle under pressure. They kept up the pressure on FC Goa and were rewarded when Indian defender Debabrata Roy pushed Robin Gurung from behind inside the box to concede a penalty. Koke converted the resultant spot-kick to restore parity.

The second session produced some high-paced action as the home team, egged on by their vociferous supporters, were the more aggressive side.

FC Goa were pegged back in their territory for better part of the half but had a goal ruled offside when Ranti neatly side-footed a low centre. That was the closest both team's came to taking the lead despite their best efforts to score.

FC Goa next face Atletico de Kolkata at home Oct 23 in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium while NorthEast United FC travel to Mumbai to take on Mumbai City FC at the D.Y. Patil Stadium Oct 24.