FC Goa vs Sporting Club Delhi: Vallejo Strikes Late to Rescue 1-1 Draw
Image: MG ISL
Goa, October 28: FC Goa rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Sporting Club Delhi in the MG Indian Super League on Wednesday, with Alex Vallejo scoring deep into stoppage time to deny the visitors their first win of the campaign.
Juan Pena had given Sporting Club Delhi the lead in the 52nd minute and the visitors looked set to hold on for all three points. Goa, however, continued to push until the final moments and were rewarded in the 90+5th minute when Vallejo converted from Francisco Feuillassier’s free-kick.
Both sides began with attacking intent and tried to press high in search of an early breakthrough. Goa created the first opening in the eighth minute when Samsanga narrowly missed the target at the far post. The forward thought he had given the hosts the lead in the 19th minute after being played through by Feuillassier, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Goa continued to create chances as the first half progressed, with Muhammed Nemil going close in the 37th minute when his effort went just over the crossbar. Sporting Club Delhi stayed compact and prevented the hosts from turning their possession into a goal, taking the match into half-time with the score still level.
The home side started the second half positively and came close again when Nemil found Feuillassier inside the six-yard box. Sporting Club Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes produced an important save to keep Goa out, and the visitors soon punished the missed opportunity at the other end.
Delhi broke quickly on the counter in the 52nd minute, with Rodrigunho setting up Pena. The forward finished confidently with his right foot to put the visitors ahead and leave Goa chasing the game.
The hosts increased the pressure as the match entered the closing stages, but Sporting Club Delhi continued to defend their advantage. A defensive mistake gave Vallejo an opening in the first minute of stoppage time, but his cross could not be converted as Chiki failed to find the target.
Goa finally found the equaliser with almost the last action of the match. Feuillassier delivered a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area in the fifth minute of added time, and Vallejo timed his run well to meet the ball in front of the goalkeeper and turn it into the net.
The late goal ensured the points were shared and denied Sporting Club Delhi what would have been their first victory of the season. Goa, meanwhile, were rewarded for pushing until the end and escaped with a point from a contest that looked to have slipped away.
