ISL 2020-21: Pandita grabs late point for Goa in six-goal thriller

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:09 am

Ishan Pandita (second from right) equalises through a header to rescue a point for FC Goa against Mumbai City FC.
Ishan Pandita (second from right) equalises through a header to rescue a point for FC Goa against Mumbai City FC.
Faheem Hussain/Sportzpics for ISL

Ishan Pandita scored in the final minute of injury time as FC Goa held leaders Mumbai City FC to a 3-3 draw in a thrilling encounter in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday. The result helped Goa climb back up to third in the table, level on points with Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC, but ahead on goal difference. Mumbai meanwhile missed a chance to go six clear at the top and the result opens up a chance for second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan to close the gap on the leaders when they play Bengaluru FC on Tuesday.

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Hugo Boumous gave Mumbai the lead in the 20th minute from a fast break, with Adam Le Fondre finding the Frenchman with a pass from outside his own box. With every Goa player in the opposition half and no one covering at the back, Boumous would had a free run on goal, went one-one-one the keeper before rounding him up to roll the ball into the net. Mumbai doubled the lead in the 26th minute, as Adam Le Fondre reacted the quickest to head the ball home from a rebound following a corner routine.

Goa, despite some poor finishing early on, remained on the attack throughout, and got their reward just before half-time with a stunning long-range strike Glan Martins, who found the top right corner. They started the second half in similar fashion and Igor Angulo soon put them level with a well-placed header off Alberto Noguera's cross.

Mumbai had several chances to restore their lead in the last quarter, most notably in the 80th minute through Rowllin Borges, but the midfielder scuffed his shot from just yards out. Borges would redeem himself just 10 minutes later, getting at the end of Boumous' free kick from the left channel to tap the ball home.

But there was late drama to follow, as Goa won a free kick on the right hand channel. Edu Bedia delivered a pin-point cross and second-half substitute Pandita scored with a brilliant header to earn him team a vital point and keep them alive in the playoffs race.

Goa next face Chennaiyin FC on February 13, while Mumbai are up against Bengaluru on February 15.

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