Half Time Report: Highlanders start on a high but back-to-back goals pull Goa ahead

Starting Line-ups:

NorthEast United FC - Gennaro Bracigliano, Reagan Singh, Zohmingliana Ralte, Cedric Hengbart, Raju Gaikwad, Sanju Pradhan, Siam Hanghal, Silas, Diomansy Kamara, Francis Dadzie, Nicolas Velez

FC Goa - Laxmikant Kattimani, Keenan Almeida, Gregory Arnolin, Luciano Sabrosa, Debabrata Roy, Jonatan Lucca, Bikramjit Singh, C.S. Sabeeth, Leo Moura, Jofre, Reinaldo

AFTER NORTHEAST UNITED started the game on a high by taking an early lead, FC Goa struck back twice in two successive minutes to claim a 1-2 lead for themselves at half-time in this 3rd round ISL encounter.

While the Highlanders, playing at home for the first time this season, decided to keep the same starting line-up from the one that managed a draw away in Kerala, Zico was compelled to make a number of changes from the squad that let in 4 goals against Chennaiyin: Luciano replaced the injured marquee Lucio, Bikramjit, Sabeeth and Jonatan were started instead of Mandar, Denson and Romeo. Going for an Indian keeper for this encounter, Zico gave Laxmikant Kattimani his first start of the season, benching Andrade.  

It was NEUFC who started brighter, breaching the Goa defence time and again especially up the flanks. Their maneuvres paid off too as a pass to Sanju Pradhan on the right saw him sneak up to the goal, drawing Kattimani towards himself, then coolly and impeccably set up a header for Franis Dadzie who ran in and nodded the ball into the empty net. One nil to the Highlanders.

GOOOAAALL! Dadzie fires up a strong header assisted by Sanju into the right corner! #NEUFC #8States1United #NEUvGOA pic.twitter.com/607KYPLsCH

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) October 15, 2015

Undeterred, the Gaurs looked to hog the possession and wait for their chances. But NEUFC were still coming on strong. Pradhan made another good cross to Dadzie but Gregory prevented him to take a shot. Then Jonatan Lucca had a good chance but Zohmingliana was there to clear it. 

But the Brazilian had been working hard all night and soon got his due. He passed it to Sabeeth, who sent the ball ahead to Jofre, who sent it back to Jonatan just outside the penalty box. The shot was a curler that beat a defender and the keeper on its way. A perfect team effort. And FC oa were level.

But within 2 minutes the visitors were ahead. Jonatan's pass to Jofre saw the latter send in a cross, which reached an onrushing Reinado after taking a deflection. The striker set it on its way to the net with the first touch. Suddenly the Gaurs had the lead. 

Goals are on the cards tonight! FORCCCAAA GOA! #NEUvGOA #GOA pic.twitter.com/5Omres5WrX

— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) October 15, 2015

The sudden goals changed the nature of the match radically as the physicality of the contest went a notch higher. Kamara brought down Moura and saw a yellow card. Then Reinaldo elbowed Kamara and earned another a yellow of his own. 

Towards the end of the half FC Goa were denied a clear penalty. It was Jofre who was clearly brought down off the ball by the keeper. But the referee thought Bracigliano had gotten a touch on the ball and decided not to award the spot kick. Another crucial officiating mistake that may end up massively affecting the outcome of the match, as the game is still very much on here in Guwahati, and the second half is going to be a closely fought contest.