Heartbreak at Fatorda as FC Goa settle for a draw

Hyderabad FC snatches draw from FC Goa with a goal in the dying minutes in a fiery home encounter, which saw two red cards and frayed tempers on both sides; fans go home distraught
FC Goa's Armando Sadiku.
MAN OF THE MOMENT: Armando Sadiku drew first blood for FC Goa, making it 1-0 in the 52nd minute. Photo: ISL
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A draw was not the result FC Goa had expected against Hyderabad FC on Wednesday in the Indian Super League, but in the end, the former had to walk away from South Goa's Fatorda stadium facing the reality of it all.      

In football—just as in life—anything can happen at any moment and Hyderabad FC's 90th-minute equaliser proved that. Lowly-placed Hyderabad FC had nothing to lose, but Goa could not make it to the 2nd spot as was expected of them and that was a minor setback.      

FC Goa's Armando Sadiku.
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Two red cards in the second half—first for Goa and then for Hyderabad— rough tackles, yellow cards and frayed tempers defined the day at Fatorda.     

FC Goa showed intent from the start of the game and their best and closest chance came in the 5th minute when Armando Sadiku's shot hit the right post from very close range, much to the disappointment of the fans who were hungry for a goal.   

Hyderabad FC's Allan Paulista.
THE LAST LAUGH: Hyderabad FC's Allan Paulista celebrating after scoring equaliser against FC Goa.Photo: ISL

Hyderabad looked good in the midfield but lacked firepower upfront allowing Goa major ball possession. However, Ramhlunchhunga and Edmilson Correia made dangerous inroads into FC Goa's half.

Till the drinks break in the 29th minute, Goa held sway with the ball but no score, leaving their fans high and dry. At half time the score remained at 0-0.    

Armando Sadiku and Ramhlunchhunga vie for the ball.
HARD FOUGHT: Armando Sadiku in action against Hyderabad FC's Ramhlunchhunga. Photo: ISL

The second half saw Goa starting on the right foot and, finally, their efforts paid off in the 52nd minute through Armando Sadiku's goal. Sadiku worked hard to tap the ball in the right corner of the net after receiving Dejan Drazic's header. It was 1-0, Goa up!             

However, Goa's joy was short-lived when Borja Herrera was shown the red card in the 59th minute. Despite a man down, Goa attacked. In the 71st minute, both teams were even after Alex Saji was shown the red for his double yellow cards.       

FC Goa's Armando Sadiku.
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But that didn't break the resolve of Hyderabad which started playing good football. If Goa showed fine form throughout, the last 10 minutes of the second half belonged to Hyderabad.

When Goa thought they would walk away with a close win, Hyderabad almost scored in the 89th minute through substitute Allan Paulista whose right-footed shot from the centre of the box hit the right post.

Hyderabad FC's Stephen Goddard and FC Goa's Boris Singh Thangjam.
TOUGH CONTEST: Hyderabad FC's Stephen Goddard dribbling the ball past FC Goa's Boris Singh Thangjam.Photo: ISL

But in the 90th minute, Allan Paulista's shot from the centre of the box, again, to the bottom left corner caught Hrithik Tiwari off guard. Tiwari just looked at the ball as it sailed through inside the net. It was 1-1, much to the dismay of Goa fans.    

This draw keeps FC Goa in third place with 26 points from 14 matches. As the Men in Orange now aim to regain their momentum, they will come up against NorthEast United in their backyard next Tuesday in their next assignment in the league.

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