FC Goa forward Ishan Pandita during a training session.
Photo Credits: FC Goa
PANAJI
Three points looked like a distant dream for FC Goa as their game against Hyderabad FC moved into the 87th minute on Wednesday night. The Nizams, to their credit, had given a really good account of themselves -- as they have done time and again this season -- and looked poised to end their two-game losing streak.
The ‘home’ team had thwarted most questions the Gaurs had posed while Aridane Santana had again delivered in typical fashion to help move them within minutes to all three points. And then it all changed.
Ishan Pandita got onto the field and delivered with his very first touch. A precise free-kick from Edu Bedia’s boots dropped into the box with enough pace for Pandita to attack. There was still work to be done, though. The angle seemed awkward and only a deft yet powerful flick of the head could get that ball beyond the keeper and into the back of the net.
And that’s exactly what happened. The 22-year-old flexed his neck muscles to the fullest to direct the ball beyond former FC Goa skipper Laxmikant Kattimani, nestling the ball into the top right left corner of the Hyderabad goal.
Talk about immediate impact!
“(Scoring the goal with the very first touch) Feels amazing. Couldn’t have asked for a better introduction,” Pandita said following his goal that changed the game for the Gaurs. “(I’m) Happy to score but happier for the three points.”
He further elaborated on his first-ever ISL goal - the coach’s instructions, his instincts and thoughts leading up to the moment.
“Well, I was warming up when the coach called me to come on. He said we’re playing two up top. He told me to stay in the box and wait for a cross,” recalled Pandita. “Luckily the first ball that came in turned out to be a good chance and I was able to guide it home and score.”
An important win and a much-awaited goal. “It was crucial to end their year with a win. We are where we deserve to be on the table and the way we did it just makes it all more special,” said Pandita on the win that he helped script.
With Igor Angulo firing on all cylinders and ably supported by the likes of Jorge Ortiz, Brandon Fernandes and Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Pandita has found his time in the FC Goa line-up limited. However, on Wednesday he made the most of what he got and how.
“It’s always hard not being part of the team but that’s where mental strength comes in I guess. I have to thank my family and my team for that really,” stated the youngster on his sporadic appearances. “My mother is a big part of my positive mentality and I have to thank her for being there with me through it all.”
Whilst Pandita’s goal brought home the momentum, the comeback was complete thanks to a brilliant Angulo strike four minutes later. Having seen him from close quarters, the youngster provided a glimpse as to what was going on in his head as the Spaniard strode on to deliver the dagger to the Hyderabad hearts.
“We go into every game looking for a win. The equaliser only gave us more momentum to go after the win,” said Pandita, explaining the mood of the camp after the first goal. “Igor is a fantastic player. It’s great to have a man like him upfront. We all believe in his capabilities and we know that he’ll take whatever chance he gets, so when he was on the run in that situation, I anticipated that something special could happen and made my run, but as we saw, he didn’t need much.”
