Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro struck twice, including one via a horrendous error by rival goalkeeper, as NorthEast United FC beat FC Goa 2-0 to register their second consecutive win in the Indian Super League
NorthEast United FC's Emiliano Alfaro is ecstatic after scoring his second goal against FC Goa during the Indian Super League-3 encounter at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati yesterday. Pic/AFP
NorthEast United FC's Emiliano Alfaro is ecstatic after scoring his second goal against FC Goa during the Indian Super League-3 encounter at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati yesterday. Pic/AFP
Guwahati: Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro struck twice, including one via a horrendous error by rival goalkeeper, as NorthEast United FC beat FC Goa 2-0 to register their second consecutive win in the Indian Super League here yesterday.
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FC Goa goalkeeper Laxmikanth Kattimani handed NorthEast United the lead on a platter in the 20th minute thanks to a howler when his desperate clearance deflected from Emiliano Alfaro onto his own goal. Alfaro struck again in the 62nd minute to take the game away from FC Goa's reach at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. NorthEast United had beaten Kerala Blaster in their campaign opener at the same venue on October 1. Both the teams were cagey at the start and took time to ascertain each other's strength and weakness.
Calamitous error
NorthEast United did not have to wait for too long for the opening goal, which was a gift from the FC Goa goalkeeper. Captain Lucio's back-pass for the Goa goalkeeper should have been routine clearance but instead Kattimani waited on the ball, and when he tried to clear, the ball struck Alfaro and deflected into the goal much to the joy of the home crowd.
Just a minute before half time, NorthEast survived again. This time it was from a Jofre free kick the ball hit Robin Gurung and fell safely into the hands of the goalkeeper.
In the second session, FC Goa continued to attack and the NorthEast goalkeeper had to make a double save. Mandar was the first to test Paul from close range and then a long ranger from Trindade Goncalves was again parried away by the goalkeeper.
NorthEast increased their lead in the 62nd minute. A through ball from the half-way mark was flicked into Alfaro's path by Holicharan Narzary and the Uruguayan striker beat Kattimani from a narrow angle.
Missed opportunity
Alfaro should have scored his hat-trick in the 79th minute when he was within handshaking distance of the goal but his shot was saved on the line by Raju Gaekwad.
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