FC Goa kicked off the Derrick Pereira era with a 1-1 draw against Odisha FC in an Indian Super League game at Vasco on Friday. In a two-half game, the Gaurs saw themselves take the lead thanks to a goal from Ivan Gonzalez, before being pulled back in the second half when Odisha fired through their Brazilian striker Jonathas. In his first game as FC Goa head coach, Pereira decided to go for an unchanged XI with Edu Bedia in the lead again. The former Indian international was left without the services of Glan Martins, Brandon Fernandes and Jorge Ortiz due to injuries and suspensions.
Kiko Ramirez, on the other hand, made five substitutions at his side to end Odisha’s recent slippage that saw them lose three of their last four games.
Goa started out as the stronger of the two sides and looked the most likely of the two sides to open the scoring in the first 20 minutes. Their plans had to be changed as Airam Cabrera had to leave early and Nongdamba Naorem replaced the Spaniard.
The first big moment of the match came in the 26th minute when de Gaurs worked the ball well to enter an impending low cross from the right.
After a skirmish in the crowded penalty area, Alberto Noguera was able to clear space before delivering a low short that Kamaljit Singh saved well, low to his left.
Minutes later, it was Aibanbha Dohling who caused problems for the Odisha defense when the centre-back came out on top from a corner but failed to keep his header on target.
Noguera came back a few minutes later when the Spaniard was played past the Odisha defense by a lovely ball from Savior Gama.
The midfielder looked on track to score his third goal of the season before Kamaljit delivered another brilliant response to keep Derrick Pereira’s men at bay.
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute via a corner kick. Ivan Gonzalez came in with his first of the season at the end of a free kick from the left after Dohling did well to tap it into the nearest post.
FC Goa came out of the fight after the break as the stronger of the two teams. However, against the course of events, Odish equalized. Jonathas made the most of his physical prowess to bundle the ball over the line 53 minutes into the game after a left cross from Nandhakumar caught the Gaurs defence.
Odisha built on the momentum of the goal and almost took the lead in the 72nd minute.
Another cross from the left, this time from substitute Aridai Cabrera, saw Dylan Fox hit the crossbar of his own goal as the Aussie tried to clear his lines. Liridon Krasniqi was the first to rebound. However, his shot was headed off the line by Ivan Gonzalez to keep the game level.
The final phase of the game was characterized by both sides going for the kill as it turned into an end-to-end affair.
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And it was Odisha who had the best chance of the match as Jonathas pulled off a tired Goa defense before playing in Krasniqi on the left. The Malaysian tried to curl the ball into the goal, but was interrupted by a brilliant dive save from Dheeraj Singh.
The Gaurs will return to action on December 29 when they face their former head coach Juan Ferrando and ATK Mohun Bagan. That match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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