Reliving the most exciting ISL match of the week – FC Pune City 2-2 FC Goa
The second edition of the Indian Super League has just crossed its halfway mark, and our match of the week features the top of the table clash between FC Pune City and FC Goa. Both the teams had made strong starts to the season, with FC Goa taking away 14 points from 8 games while FC Pune City had 13 points from 8 games before their clash at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune.
David Platt’s team had impressed at their home ground, winning four out of their five games, while losing just one against Delhi Dynamos. It was a tough match to pick favourites, and it definitely did not disappoint us.
Unlike most of the games in the Indian Super League, the game was a little less physical, and the referee showed only one yellow card throughout the game. In an end-to-end game, the visitors had an impressive 13 shots on goals, while the home side had six shots on goal.
Both sides looked very impressive in the first half hour of the game, and came close to scoring. Adrian Mutu, in particular, impressed for the home side, while Leo Moura was running the show for FC Goa.
Indian international Eugeneson Lyngdoh opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after Didier Zokora’s impressive run from his own half to FC Goa’s penalty box created an opening for Lyngdoh, who made no mistake and finished past goalkeeper Kattimani.
The lead for FC Pune City didn’t last for long though, and FC Goa found an equaliser just a couple of minutes later through Rafael Coelho. The Brazilian, who was signed as a replacement for Victor Simeos, made a brilliant run through the middle after receiving the ball from Leo Moura just near the halfline and scored wth aplomb past Simonsen from outside the box.
Both sides slowed down a bit after an intense first 35 minues, with Jonathan Lucca coming closest to scoring in the 41st minute from a Rafael Coelho pass, but Pune goalkeeper Simonsen made a top save to deny the Brazilian.
Just before the break in the 44th minute, Goa took the lead, and this time Simonsen couldn’t do anything to deny Lucca. The Brazilian did well to cut in from the left side, and then took a shot which took a slight deflection off Bailey leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
The home team went into the break a goal down, and it looked like the game had more goals in it with the away side creating the better chances. Nicky Shorey and Roger Johnson were impressive for Pune at the back and helped thwart many Goa attacks.
The rest of the second half played out with Pune trying to get back into the game while FC Goa looked to keep their lead. At the end of 90 minutes, there were only four minutes of stoppage time between Zico’s side and a crucial three points but an exquisite finish from former Juventus forward Adrian Mutu saw him level the game in the 94th minute.
Overall, both sides would have been satisfied with a point and the two best teams in the tournament so far showcased exactly whey they are at the top. FC Goa still sit on top of the table, while FC Pune City remain just below them, and both teams have a brilliant chance now to make it to the semi-finals this season.