MARGAO: Football Club Mangalore fought back to secure a 3-3 draw against FC Goa in the AIFF Sub-Junior League 2025-26 at Monte de Guirim Ground, Guirim, on Sunday. The highlight of the match was a brilliant brace by Ludivico Figueiredo.
The visiting team took the lead early, breaking the deadlock in the 7th minute when Hanan K slotted a snapshot past the FC Goa goalkeeper. Unfazed, FC Goa responded quickly, with Ludivico scoring the equalizer in the 14th minute. Just three minutes later, he put FC Goa ahead again with a clinical finish, making it 2-1.
However, Football Club Mangalore refused to back down, and in the 21st minute, Mohammed R equalized for the visitors. The back-and-forth continued as Kurston Menezes put FC Goa back in the lead with a goal in the 41st minute, making it 3-2.
Things took a turn for the worse for the visiting team when Mohammed Midlaj was shown a red card by the referee in the 40th minute, reducing them to 10 men. As the match seemed to be drifting toward a FC Goa victory, Mohammad Arshad had other plans. In the 45+5th minute, Arshad’s powerful shot found the back of the net, securing a dramatic 3-3 draw for Football Club Mangalore.
