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 football here on Tuesday.
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 the Indira Gandhi Stadium here. 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.
The first chance of the day went to NorthEast United in the 12th minute. A fine cross from Koffi Christian saw Katsumi Yusa going for a shot but Kattimani made a diving safe.
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.
FC Goa tried to fight their way back and created two good chances towards the closing stages of the first half.
In the 38th minute, Mandar Rao Desai got past two defenders on the left and pulled the ball back for Jofre Gonzalez whose shot was blocked by NorthEast goalkeeper Subrata Paul.
Just a minute before half-time, NorthEast survived again. This time it was from a Jofre free-kick which an unmarked lucio squared it across the goal but before it reached the dangerous Rafael Coelho, 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 with some brilliant play. A through ball from just beyond the half-way mark was flicked into Alfaro's path by Holicharan Narzary and the Uruguayan striker did well to beat Kattimani from a narrow angle. The ball went through Kattiman's legs into the net.
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.
Kerala look to open account Kochi: Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell has plenty of reasons to look forward to his team's first home match against Atletico de Kolkata in this edition of the Hero Indian Super league (HISl) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday.
Since taking charge of Kerala Blasters, the former Manchester United winger has been bombarded with tales about the lively atmosphere for a ISl match in Kochi and Coppell is eager to see the excitement that it provides.
"This game is becoming famous around the world for its atmosphere. People have been talking to me about this since I arrived in India so am looking forward to it," said Coppell on the eve of his team's second round clash against the former champions. Kerala Blasters succumbed to the might of NorthEast United FC in the opening game and looked far from impressive. The Kerala Blasters coach admitted his team was not firing as yet and identified giving away the ball cheaply as one of the reason why they came away from Guwahati with nothing in the bag. "We kept giving the ball away. It was may be first night nerves, may be just playing away from home. I really can't understand. But obviously we have to be better in front of our own supporters. We have to keep the ball better. It's important that we have possession of the ball," said Coppell.
On the field, despite the vociferous support, Kerala Blasters can have a tough time against Atletico de Kolkata, who snatched a 2-2 draw against defending champions Chennaiyin FC in their opening match.
Atletico de Kolkata are now playing their first match away from home but coach Jose Molina said nothing will change for his side.
"Football is the same whether you play at home or away. The plan is the same and we will try to have possession, try to fight, try to defend and try to win in the end. We do not have any different strategy," said the Spanish coach.
Molina did not need any reminding that his team will be up not just against the 11 Kerala Blasters players on the field but also a partisan crowd of 50,000. He has challenged the players to use the intimidating atmosphere to challenge themselves.