FC Goa defeated Sudeva Delhi 2-1 in their second match of the Durand Cup, booking their spot in the quarter-final.
The match started slow for the Gaurs as the team was struggling to get the ball into the Delhi box because of their deep defensive line.
Sudeva came very close to scoring as William Pauliankhum took a direct corner into the goal that was barely punched away by a scrambling Dheeraj Singh.
However, in the extra time of the first half, FC Goa’s Muhammed Nemil scored a screamer to give the Gaurs the lead. Nemil curled the ball into the left top corner and left the Sudeva players clueless.
In the second half, Sudeva Delhi had a golden opportunity as the winger Korou Singh tried curling the ball into the goal but ended up hitting the crossbar and going out. FC Goa’s Albert Noguera took an outside shot which was saved by the Sudeva keeper. The Gaurs had a few half chances towards the end of the match and finally converted in the 80th minute thanks to Jorge Ortiz’s outside shot to seal the victory.
In the 98th minute of the match, Sudeva Delhi was given a penalty because of hand foul made by the FC Goa captain Edu Bedia. William Pauliankhum took the penalty kick for Sudeva and converted it.
Despite the late drama, FC Goa secured the victory to enter the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup.