Ishan Pandita's late goal helps Goa sneak a point

Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for ISL

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Ishan Pandita's fourth goal of the season handed FC Goa a point as they held Chennaiyin FC to a 2-2 draw at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim in the Indian Super League on Saturday. It continued Pandita's incredible run - his four goals have come from bit-part roles over seven games. The draw was Goa's sixth draw in a row and moved them to third place, moving above Hyderabad FC in the points table.

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It was Chennaiyin who started stronger, failing to take advantage of a couple of early chances. But just when it looked like their profligacy in front of goal was going to cost them, Chennaiyin took the lead.

It was Reagan Singh who paved the way for the goal with some great work down the right wing. He found Jakub Sylvestr through an army of Goa defenders. Sylvestr then took a couple of touches before finding an excellent finish despite losing his balance and going to the ground.

Chennaiyin's lead lasted less than six minutes as Goa went looking for the equaliser and were awarded a penalty. Eli Sabia, while rivalling Igor Angulo to get to a cross, only managed to do so with his hand and the referee promptly pointed to the spot. There was some drama as Angulo slotted home the penalty only for the referee to order him to retake it. But the Spaniard converted again as he dragged his team back to level terms.

Despite conceding, Chennaiyin mustered up enough resolve to go on the attack again and it was them who fashioned the better chances in the first half. The best of them came right before the halftime whistle as Sylvestr hit the woodwork, despite only having Goa keeper Dheeraj Singh to beat.

Chennaiyin's endeavour yielded fruits in the second half as they retook the lead. But the goal did not make for good viewing for Goa fans as it came from confusion between Dheeraj and his defenders. The young keeper came out for the ball only to run into one of his defenders. The ball found its way to an unmarked Lallianzuala Chhangte, who made no mistake from close range.

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It looked like Goa would rue that mistake as the match progressed into injury time without them looking like finding an equaliser. However, Pandita's knack of scoring late goals came to their rescue again.