FC Goa has held Bengaluru FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the match has ended with a scoreline of 2-2. The team from Goa was down to two goals after 57th minute of the match. FC Goa has made a brilliant comeback in the match after the inclusion of Brandon Fernandes in the second half. Here are the talking points of the match:
1. Bengaluru FC’s Initial Dominance:
The match has been in the balance till the first goal of Bengaluru FC. Bengaluru FC has got the first goal at the 27th minute of the match. The goal of Bengaluru FC has come from a long throw. The ball come has come to the box and the defenders of FC Goa have not been able to clear it. Cleiton Silva has got the ball in an unmarked position. Cleiton Silva’s shot has gone past Nawaz at the goal of FC Goa. Bengaluru FC has doubled their lead in the second half. Juanan has perfectly met the cross of Erik Paartalu. With that goal, Bengaluru FC has taken the control of the match completely.
2. Impact Of Brandon Fernandes For FC Goa:
Brandon Fernandes has come in the field in place of Princeton Rebello and Romario has taken the place of Semilen Doungel. These two substitutions have made an immediate impact on the game. Brandon Fernandes has started to provide defence-splitting passes. The defensive unit of Bengaluru FC had been shattered with his movements.
3. Igor Angulo’s Two Back To Back Goals:
The substitutes have helped FC Goa to change their fortune in this match. Aiban Dohling and Alberto Noguera have come in place of James Donachie and Lenny Rodrigues. Alberto Noguera has provided the defence-splitting pass towards Igor Angulo who has started the comeback process for FC Goa in this match. Romario has provided a beautiful ball from the right flank towards Igor Angulo at the time of the second goal. Igor Angulo’s positioning during both goals has been brilliant. He has been clinical in front of the goal.
4. Carles Cuadrat’s Strategy Gone Wrong:
The head coach of Bengaluru FC has begun with a 3-4-3 formation. He has used Fran Gonzalez as a central defender. Fran Gonzalez is not very much comfortable at that position. In the previous season, we have seen him playing in the central midfield position and he has excelled in that position at Mohun Bagan. It has been a tough night for Udanta Singh.
He has been given the responsibility to play as the right wing-back. The coach has tried to use his pace during the counter-attacks. However, Udanta Singh has not been at his best against FC Goa. The manager has brought in Pratik Choudhary and Rahul Bheke in place of these two players in the second half to inject defensive solidarity, but the plan has not worked.
5. An Off Day For Sunil Chhetri Vs FC Goa:
Sunil Chhetri has looked a bit off-colour in this match. His finishing has not been appropriate in this match. The fans will hope that the captain of the Indian Football Team gets his rhythm back quickly in this season.