Striker Alexander Romario Jesuraj came off the bench to score Goa’s equalising goal in the fourth minute of injury time, thus clinching a point for the Gaurs against Odisha FC. The Juggernauts had taken the lead, against the run of play, through Brazilian forward Jonathas just past the hour-mark.
Dominant, yet wasteful: has been FC Goa’s story under manager Derrick Pereira. The Gaurs’ struggles were, once again, bare for all to see in their 1-1 draw against Odisha FC – a result that could’ve been much worse had it not been for a late, momentary lapse in concentration by the Odisha defence.
Goa dominated territorially (65 per cent possession) and had the larger share of shots – as well as shots on target – compared to Odisha. However, their wastefulness in front of the goal proved to be a hindrance; the Goa attackers created plenty of shooting opportunities from good positions during the first half, to be let down by some poor finishing.
Take, for example, a couple of near-identical sequences in the 10th and the 16th minute: first, Alberto Noguera, played in behind the Odisha defence by Brandon Fernandes with a reverse pass dragged his shot wide from the left side of the box before Airam Cabrera shot over from a similar position, at the end of a similar sequence, minutes later.
Nonetheless, Goa’s shot counter kept rising throughout the first half but only once was opposition goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh was called into action – a 32nd-minute play, resulting in Edu Bedia pulling the trigger, albeit unsuccessfully, from a tight angle.
Princeton Rebello and Makan Chote had their shots blocked by the Odisha defence on either side of the break before Noguera fouled Javi Hernandez inside his box, resulting in an Odisha penalty – which Jonathas converted to put the Juggernauts ahead.
Odisha almost punished their opponents again for their lack of ruthlessness in attack in the 76th minute when Jerry Mawihmingthanga ghosted in behind the opposition defenders and, off-balance struck the bar with his subsequent shot.
However, Goa rallied and grabbed the equaliser with mere seconds remaining on the clock; substitute Romario found himself a yard of space in the middle of the Odisha box – and turned in a cross from Airam to rescue a point for his side.
