FC Goa, Bengaluru FC Play Out Thrilling 2-2 Draw in Bengaluru
December 14, 2024 – Bengaluru, India: FC Goa and Bengaluru FC played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in their Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. Despite taking a commanding lead, the Gaurs were unable to hold off a spirited comeback from the hosts, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
Manolo Marquez made three changes to FC Goa’s lineup from their 2-0 win over Hyderabad FC earlier this month. Aakash Sangwan, Sahil Tavora, and Dejan Drazic came in for Jay Gupta, Mohammad Yasir, and Armando Sadiku, respectively.
The visitors wasted no time asserting themselves, taking the lead in the 7th minute. Dejan Drazic delivered a pinpoint free-kick from over 25 yards out, finding Sandesh Jhingan at the edge of the Bengaluru box. Jhingan’s header ricocheted off the far post and into the net, leaving goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu rooted to the spot.
The Blues responded with a series of attacks. Sunil Chhetri came close, but was denied by a stunning diving save from FC Goa’s young goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari in the 14th minute. Tiwari, who was in inspired form, continued to keep the hosts at bay, denying Edgar Mendez and Ryan Williams later in the half.
Following the change of ends, Goa doubled their advantage in the 66th minute. A defensive error from Bengaluru’s Naorem Roshan allowed Sahil Tavora to pounce on a loose ball just outside the box. Tavora unleashed a sublime curling effort into the top corner, leaving Gurpreet with no chance.
However, Ryan Williams halved the deficit for Bengaluru FC in the 72nd minute, beating his marker and finishing clinically past Tiwari. They then leveled the scoreline in the 83rd minute through Jorge Pereyra Diaz. Starting the move himself, Diaz found Ryan Williams, whose shot struck the post before Roshan Singh returned the ball to the Argentine. This time, Diaz made no mistake with his powerful finish.
FC Goa nearly snatched a late winner when Mohammad Yasir’s effort in the 87th minute forced a save from Gurpreet.
With the result, FC Goa now sit fourth in the points table with 19 points from 11 matches. They will return to their home ground, the PJN Stadium in Fatorda, for their next match against table-toppers Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which will also mark the end of the first phase of the league season.
About FC Goa
FC Goa are a professional football club based out of Goa that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL). Founded on August 26, 2014, “the Gaurs” have been one of the most consistently successful teams in the ISL – reaching 5 semi-finals and 2 finals in 10 seasons.
The Club also holds the record for the most goals, joint-most golden boots, and most number of playoff appearances (7 in total) in the history of the league. In 2020, FC Goa became the first team from India to qualify for the league stages of the AFC Champions League, by virtue of winning the first-ever ISL League Winners Shield in the 2019-20 season.
The Gaurs’ trophy cabinet is further adorned by the 2019 Super Cup, the 2021 Durand Cup, and the 2023-24 Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy.
Co-owned by Mr. Jaydev Mody, Mr. Akshay Tandon, and Mr. Virat Kohli, FC Goa are one of the few Indian clubs to have a complete youth development ecosystem. Its U13, U15, U17, U19, and Developmental Teams compete at the highest levels in Goa and India.
The FC Goa Development Team won the Goa Professional League, the top-division football league in the state, in 2018-19. In 2020, they lifted the Goa Police Cup as well.
The Club’s U13 and U15 teams, meanwhile, are the reigning champions of their respective age categories in the Goa Football Association (GFA) state league for the second consecutive year now, highlighting their continued success at every level.
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