Nestor’s brace and Alaaeddine goal prove inadequate to secure full points
Panji, 4 October 2024: Unlucky.
NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali summed up the result in one word. The Highlanders conceded late into the stoppage time to drop points in their Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) clash against FC Goa at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda here Friday.
Juan Pedro Benali’s men looked all set to edge FC Goa for the second consecutive season at Fatorda courtesy of Nestor Albiach’s brace (6, 51) and a stunning Alaaeddine Ajaraie (56’) strike. However, their stunning comeback was curtailed late in a cruel fashion after Borja Herrera (90+4) found the bottom corner to level the game 3-3.
“More than disappointed, we feel unlucky. We put Guillermo (Fernandez) to work and push up top but he got injured in the first action, which meant we were playing with one man less,” Benali said after the match before adding, “We always talk about little luck and concentration in the final minutes of the game which is missing (at the moment). We need to be more calm and the moment we will be calmer in the games, we will get the results.”
Earlier, in his first start of the season, Spanish forward Nestor put NorthEast ahead after just six minutes. He brought down a long ball from Robin Yadav, who made his first ISL start for the club, and made a darting run down the right flank and cut inside. He then floored two FC Goa defenders before putting the ball in the back of the net.
Although FC Goa grew into the game, the Highlanders kept them at bay until the second additional minute at the end of the first half. Mohammed Ali Bemammer conceded a penalty for a foul on Dejan Drazic and Armando Sadiku (45+2) converted from the spot to put FC Goa on level terms at the break.
At the start of the second half, Benali’s men gave up their lead after Armando Sadiku (47) scored his second of the night, but soon the Highlanders regained control. Nestor found Jithin MS wide, who cut inside and played a ball into Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s feet, who flicked it in for Nestor, who put a clever finishing touch to restore the parity.
Alaaeddine then became only the second player after Elano Blumer to score in his first four ISL games when he made a darting run and put a left-footed shot in the back of the net to put Highlanders ahead on the night.
However, just when it looked like the team had done enough, FC Goa struck late to salvage the point. The result leaves NorthEast United FC on five points from four games before the international break. After the break, the Highlanders will face Chennaiyin FC at their home ground – Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati – on October 17.
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