The final result ended with FC Goa beating Northeast United FC 5-1, but it could have turned out differently. Just five minutes before Ferran Corominas scored the first goal for Goa with a brilliant finish, defender Carlos Pena committed a foul in the box.
If the referee had seen it as a push, Pena might have given away a penalty for a careless handball. This could have given Northeast United FC a chance to score from the penalty, potentially altering the outcome of the match. Going into the Christmas break, Goa, one of the most entertaining teams in the league, secured the third spot on the Indian Super League (ISL) table.
They could have been even higher in the standings if the penalty had been awarded. The game was full of excitement, drama, childishness, and joy until the final score settled at 5-1. Goa’s coach Sergio Lobera always encourages his team to strive for more and go for goals.
Lobera exudes a quiet confidence in his ability to maintain excellence. When asked about his approach to the game, he emphasizes the importance of not just winning but entertaining the fans too. “I believe that in football… we need to cherish it. Fans should enjoy not only the victory but also the way we play,” he remarked.
During one of their matches in early November, Thangboi Singto, the assistant coach of Kerala Blasters, praised Goa’s attacking prowess despite their defensive strategies. Goa had scored 18 goals in six matches at that point. Lobera’s response was intriguing as he challenged, “Let’s see who can score more goals tomorrow.” The match ended with Goa conceding a goal but also scoring three, keeping the excitement levels high.
