ISL: 10-man Punjab force Goa to settle for a point

Effiong Nsungusi’s fine first-half goal could have so easily handed Punjab FC their first victory against FC Goa, but his second half red card allowed Manolo Marquez’s side a comeback for a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the Indian Super League (ISL) clash at Nehru Stadium, Delhi, on Monday.
Effiong’s fourth goal of the season in the 27th minute had class written all over it, but it was overshadowed by a moment of madness, when he headbutted Pol Moreno just two minutes into the second half.
Goa went on to equalise through Dejan Drazic five minutes later and stretched their unbeaten run to five games. The second consecutive draw helped Goa move fourth in the points table. They have nine points, while Punjab are eighth with five points and a game in hand.
Manolo named an unchanged lineup from their goalless draw against East Bengal.
Punjab were superior in the initial moments and enjoyed more of the ball as Goa, who had kept a clean sheet in their last three games, were pushed on the back foot.
Punjab had the first chance to score but Muhammad Uvais’ header from a corner fell straight into the safe hands of Goa custodian Hrithik Tiwari.
At the other end, Goa’s midfield led by Ayush Chhetri and Sahil Tavora were finding it difficult to provide the balls for Ishan Pandita and Drazic upfront.
In three of the six matches between the two sides, Punjab had taken the lead and the trend continued as the home side broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.
Manglenthang Kipgen came up with a clever through ball and Effiong used his experience to calmly curl it past Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari.
Just when it looked like Punjab could carry on the momentum in the second half, the home side threw it away.
Just two minutes after the restart, Effiong lost his cool after a challenge from behind by Moreno. The Nigerian could not restrain himself and reacted by headbutting the Spanish centre-back. He promptly received a direct red card from the match referee.
The numerical advantage helped Goa turn the tide.
Raynier Fernandes made an immediate impact after coming on from the bench for Ayush at half time. The midfielder found Brison Fernandes with a firm pass and the latter then guided it towards Drazic, who finished with the outside of his right foot, past Punjab keeper Arshdeep Singh.
Goa had their chances in the final quarter as Drazic’s header sailed just over and Brison’s promising volley in added time didn’t trouble Arshdeep.
Punjab were helpless and could only defend after Effiong’s sending off but had an opportunity in the 70th minute when Bede Amarachi Osuji evaded a sliding challenge from Aakash Sangwan and set up Kipgen, who shot straight into Hrithik.