ISL 2022-23: FC Goa earn last-gasp win over East Bengal

Faheem Hussain/Focus Sports/ ISL

---

FC Goa began their Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23) season with a last-gasp win over East Bengal at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Brandon Fernandes put the visiting side ahead in the seventh minute and Cleiton Silva equalised for East Bengal around the hour mark before Edu Bedia's long-range free-kick made it 2-1 in the 94th minute.

FC Goa's opening goal saw Alvaro Vazquez play a neat ball to Brandon, who dodged Ivan Gonzalez's challenge and dinked it over Kamaljit Singh to find the back of the net.

East Begal had a fine chance to equalise in the 24th minute when Jordan O'Doherty and Cleiton Silva launched a counter-attack. O'Doherty played the ball in behind Silva but the striker could not get a shot away. The home side appealed for a penalty around the hour mark but were instead awarded a freekick, which Dheeraj Moirangthem duly saved.

The hosts came out on the front foot in the second half, applying the early pressure, and pushing deep into the FC Goa half. Suhair Vadakkepeedika crafted a fine move in the 57th minute as he bolted down the right flank and picked out Alex Lima near the edge of the box. The Brazilian took a couple of touches before firing his shot over the bar.

East Bengal's pressure paid off minutes after the hour mark as Suhair was felled by Dheeraj in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Silva coolly converted to level the scores.

While it looked like the sides would share the points, FC Goa managed to find the winner deep into stoppage time. Edu Bedia, from a free-kick, whipped in a deep ball into the box and the ball bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper before sneaking into the back of the net.

It was heartbreak for East Bengal and a historic win for FC Goa as the side ended their six-game winless run at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium.