As it happened: FC Goa vs NorthEast United FC, ISL Match 46

Victor Mendy scored in the 56th minute to give NorthEast United FC the lead but Reinaldo's strike in the 80th minute helped FC Goa manage a draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

Full time: FC Goa 1-1 NorthEast United FC

Two minutes added before full-time.

87 mins: Nicolas Velez gets on the end of the wonderful through ball and getsa past the keeper to slot the ball into the empty net. However, he was already flagged offside by the linesman. The striker looked baffled by the decision and replays showed it was touch and go.

Leo Moura kepet his calm in the box to head the ball down towards the path of his teammate. The striker got his shot away and that was met with some power. The ball went through the legs of Rehenesh and towards the back of the net. The crowd are once again pumped up! Another goal by their teama and they could bring the roof down.

Goal! Reinaldo scores in the 80th min. FC Goa 1-1 NorthEast United FC.

79 mins: Rehenesh has gone down in pain after being pushed in the air as he went for the ball. There were some worried looks at the touchline but the keeper got some treatment and is back on his feet.

75 mins: Leo Moura is looking to spark some magic into the game by making some incisive passes. However, his teammates are not helping him at the moment as they are not making the runs for him to make the pass which could penetrate the defense.

66 mins: Probably the best player of the night - Sanju, has been replaced by Holicharan Narzary.

NorthEast United FC take the lead! The resulting corner has been headed into the back of the net by Victor Mendy! Simao sent a good ball into the danger area where the striker rose the highest to power his header away. Nothing Laxmikant Kattimani could have done to save that.

Goal! Victor Mendy scores in the 56th min to give NorthEast United FC 1-0 lead against FC Goa.

49 mins: The substitute's first contribution to game has hurt his own teammate. In an attempt to go for a 50-50 ball in the air, he collided with Arnolin Gregory. The latter looked in some pain but seems fine now.

The second-half between FC Goa and NorthEast United FC Kicks off.

Though it has been a goalless draw so far, the game had been rather exciting. Largely due to the pace and quick-feet of Sanju on the right flank of NorthEast United FC. The Indian has brought life into the game every time he had the ball but somehow failed to take his team in front.

Half-time: FC Goa 0-0 NorthEast United FC.

41 mins: The second period also sees NorthEast United FC dominating the index. They are ahead with 62 per cent now with 2 shots and 2 crosses attempted between minute 16 to 30.

35 mins: Sanju has been really bright so far in the game. This time he dribbles the ball directly towards his marker before sending a through ball forward towards Victor Mendy. However, it had a little too much pace on it as the keeper came forward to collect the ball.

29 mins: Zico does not seem impressed with the performance of Raju Gaikwad, he has replaced him with Debabrata Roy.

20 mins: Victorino Fernandes goes down in pain as Carlos Lopez catches him on the left ankle at the right flank. Zico looks anxiously from the touchline but it looks like his player will be fine.

14 mins: Rehenesh tries to catch a ball as a cross is sent in from the left. Dudu makes life hard for the keeper as he manages to poke it out of clutches. The ball sneaked past the post but the referee had anyway blown his whistle to award NorthEast United FC a free kick.

8 mins: Simao sends a corner towards the far post and Laxmikant Kattimani gets off his line to punch it away. However, the keeper fails to get a decent contact on the ball and can only knock it towards Carlos Lopez. The Argentine got his header away but Leo Moura made an important clearance off the line.

The first-half kicks off in Margao.

Starting XIs

FC Goa: Laxmikant Kattimani (GK), Raju Gaikwad, Lucio (C), Arnolin Gregory, Victorino Fernandes, Leo Moura, Jonatan Lucca, Mandar Dessai, Dudu, Reinaldo, C S Sabeeth.

NorthEast United FC: Rehenesh (GK), Reagan, Cedric Hengbart, Carlos Lopez, Yumnam Raju, Siam Hanghal, Simao (C), Silas, Bruno, Sanju, Francis Dadzie.

6:35pm: FC Goa were over the moon when Dudu scored a hat trick against Mumbai City FC. Dudu seemed the appropriate striker for them as he brought both the physical prowess and the pace to The Gaurs front line. But Dudu was shut down and didn’t have the same impact in the game against Kolkata. He did have a chance early in the match but squandered the opportunity to put Goa ahead. The striker will have to be at his best and finish the chances given to him if FC Goa want to win this one.

6:30pm: NorthEast United started ISL season 2 in dismal fashion losing their 3 opening games. It looked like it would be the same story as last season when they ended up bottom of the league. But The Highlanders mounted an unbelievable comeback by winning 5 out of their next 8 games. They also managed to defeat the champions Atletico de Kolkata and semi-finalists Chennaiyin FC at home and away making them strong contenders for a top 4 finish.

After a comprehensive defeat at the hands of defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, FC Goa would look to bounce back when they take on NorthEast United FC in their last home game of the Indian Super League here on Wednesday.

Goa recently saw their 4-match unbeaten streak come to a dismal end at the hands of current table-toppers Kolkata.

A win for the home team will place them at the top of the table with 21 points and also put one foot into the play-offs.