PANAJI
FC Goa were held to yet another draw, this time by Bengaluru FC as the two sides shared the spoils on Sunday night at the SAG Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.
The score at the end of the final whistle read 1-1 as the Gaurs went on to spurn another lead, finishing the night without a win for the third game running.
Dylan Fox scored his maiden goal in FC Goa colours to give Derrick Pereira’s men the lead in the first half before Sunil Chhetri scored his first in 11 games to earn Bengaluru another point.
It was a battling first-half to begin proceedings with neither team able to create many clear cut opportunities in the first forty-five minutes. In fact, it took a set piece and a touch from a centre-back to give FC Goa the advantage going into the break.
The 41st minute saw Jorge Ortiz whip in a delightful cross following a corner from the left hand side. The ball eluded everyone till Dylan Fox swooped in late at the far post to give FC Goa the lead.
Bengaluru FC upped the ante in the second half and got their reward in the 61st minute. Prince Ibara did well to stave off Saviour Gama’s attention before whipping in a cross into the box which Sunil Chhetri cannoned in via a header past Dheeraj Singh to level things up. Roshan Singh was en route to complete the comeback but for a fantastic diving save from Dheeraj a few minutes later.
The Gaurs, though, reacted well to the pressure. As action intensified in the following minutes, the Gaurs started to regain control of the proceedings but failed to ask much off Gurpreet in the Bengaluru goal but for a long ranger from Alberto Noguera.
Sunil Chhetri and Bengaluru nearly stole all three points at the death as the Indian captain’s effort in the 90th minute caught Dheeraj out. However, luckily for FC Goa, the woodwork Gods were with them, keeping the Guars away from another late-minute heartbreak.
