FC Goa end 11-year Guwahati drought with 2-0 win over NorthEast United in ISL clash

Our Sports Reporter 

GUWAHATI: FC Goa continued their strong run of form in the Indian Super League 2025-26, registering a 2-0 victory against NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Friday. It was the first win for FC Goa against NorthEast United FC at this venue since 2015.

 A first-half strike from Dejan Drazic helped the visitors to take 1-0 lead and later a stoppage-time goal from substitute Mohammed Yasir ensured all three points for the Gaurs, who climbed to second place with 19 points from 10 matches. NorthEast United FC, meanwhile, remain in 12th place with seven points. Captain Sandesh Jhingan, who delivered a commanding performance at the back, was named the Player of the Match.

The Highlanders began brightly, with Redeem Tlang testing Hrithik Tiwari early on with a long-range effort that was comfortably saved. Moments later, Brison Fernandes made a lively run down the left but failed to find a teammate inside the box. At the other end, Boris Singh came close twice from distance, but both efforts drifted just wide.

 NorthEast United looked threatening on the break, with Jithin MS nearly capitalising on a well-timed through ball from Lalrinzuala, only to be denied by a composed save from Tiwari.

 The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when the Gaurs striker Muhammed Nemil produced a clever lofted pass from deep to release winger Dejan Drazic. The forward held off pressure from NorthEast fullback Mayakkannan before unleashing a precise right-footed strike into the bottom corner, giving Goa a deserved lead.

NorthEast United showed greater urgency in the second half with Jithin MS and substitute Parthib Gogoi combining well in attack. However, their efforts were repeatedly thwarted by Goa’s disciplined defensive unit

Just as NorthEast looked to push for a late equalizer, FC Goa sealed the result in stoppage time. Substitute Huidrom Thoi Singh initiated the move before Aakash Sangwan delivered a hopeful cross from the left. The ball eventually fell to Mohammed Yasir on the right, who controlled it calmly before curling a superb left-footed effort into the top left corner off the post, putting the result beyond doubt.

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