ISL 2021-22: Derrick Pereira starts FC Goa tenure with draw against Odisha FC

Pal Pillai/Focus Sports/ ISL

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Derrick Pereira's first game in charge of FC Goa ended in a 1-1 draw against Odisha FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Friday.

Ivan Gonzalez (42nd) gave Goa the lead in the first-half, but their joy was short-lived as Jonathas Cristian (53rd) equalised for Odisha. There were chances for both teams to clinch the game but the game ended in a stalemate.

The result means Odisha stay seventh with 10 points from seven games while Goa also remain in eighth place with eight points to their name from seven outings.

The game got off to a cagey start before Gonzalez helped Goa take the lead. Aiban Dohling got on the end of a free-kick and sprinted in front of the defenders to flick the ball back for Gonzalez who tapped it into the net.

Goa looked the better side in the first-half, enjoying the lion's share of possession but lacking a cutting edge in the final third. Kamaljit Singh made two exquisite saves off the brilliant Alberto Noguera before Goa went ahead three minutes to the halftime whistle.

It didn't take Odisha long to restore parity as Jonathas got on the scoresheet after Dheeraj Moirangthem failed to clear a dangerous ball inside the box and the Brazilian was on hand to tap home from close after sprinting in towards the far post.

Both teams threw in the towel in a bid to bag the winner and Dylan Fox almost scored an own goal when he headed the ball into his own crossbar. The ball lobbed back to the edge of the box with Liridon Krasniqi hitting it on target only for a Goa player to make a goal line clearance.