Margao: Substitute John Mosquera’s 71st minute goal helped NorthEast United to hold FC Goa to a 2-2 draw despite going behind twice at the Fatorda Stadium here on Sunday.
Mandar Rao Desai put the home side ahead but the NorthEast equalised through Marcinho at the stroke of half-time. The second half followed the same pattern as FC Goa regained the lead through Coro before substitute John Mosquera levelled the score for NorthEast United.
After a timid start to the game, Desai converted a low cross from Jonathan Cardozo in the box after a deflection from NorthEast United defender Martin Diaz. The deflection found Desai, who had time to take a touch before firing it low past the goalkeeper.
FC Goa looked set to take the lead into the break. But just before the half-time whistle, the visitors found the equaliser through their Brazilian import Marcinho. A cross into the box by Reagan Singh was deflected off Cezario and fell in the path of Halicharan Narzary, who squared across the goal for Marcinho to tap the ball home.
In the second half, the home side regained the lead in the 53rd minute through Coro’s 13th strike of the season. Ahmed Jahouh started the move with a long ball to find Manuel Lanzarote free on the left and he instinctively found his striker charging towards goal at the far post to finish off the move.
After going behind for the second time in the game, NorthEast United threw caution to the wind to find the equaliser. In the 66th minute, Avram Grant brought on John Mosquera to replace Danilo Lopes and it proved to be a master stroke. Just five minutes after coming on to the field, Mosquera brought his team level after Seiminlen Doungel’s square pass gave him an easy opportunity to tap into the net.