Goa beat NorthEast to reclaim top spot

Margao, January 8

FC Goa celebrated their 100th match of the Indian Super League in style as they beat NorthEast United 2-0 to reclaim the top spot in the points table here today.

The home side were dominant in possession and created plenty of chances to score against a deep-lying defence but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.

A Mislav Komorski (68th) own-goal finally gave FC Goa the lead before Jose Leudo conceded a penalty to allow Ferran Corominas (82th) score his 49th goal in the ISL. FC Goa’s seventh win of the season helped them onto the top of the table with 24 points from 12 matches. NorthEast are eighth with 11 points from 10 matches.

In an entertaining first- half, FC Goa had the first big chance in the ninth minute. Lenny Rodrigues found Jackichand Singh in the box. The Indian winger dribbled to the byline and provide a cut-back for Ferran Corominas whose first-time hit flew off target.

Hugo Boumous was influential for the home side in the final third. The attacking midfielder fed Jackichand through on goal with a sublime through-ball that split the defence, and although the winger was able to chip the keeper, the NorthEast defence got around to clear the ball before it found the net. It were the home side who posed the right questions as the game neared half-time, but the opening goal remained elusive. — PTI