ITANAGAR: In a thrilling showdown, Goa staged a remarkable comeback to secure their spot in the 77th FIFA Santosh Trophy final, where they are set to square off against Services tomorrow in Arunachal Pradesh.
In a thrilling semifinal clash against Manipur, Goa exhibited resilience and determination, clawing their way back from behind to clinch a hard-fought 2-1 victory in extra time (116 minutes).
Ngangbam Pacha Singh initially gave Manipur the lead in the 18th minute, but Goa’s Necio Maristo Fernandes turned the tide with two crucial goals in the 90+2 and 116th minutes, propelling Goa into the highly anticipated final showdown.
The nail-bitting encounter witnessed an electrifying start, with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities within the opening minutes.
Goa’s Lloyd Cardozo and Manipur’s Sanathoi Meetei came close to breaking the deadlock early on, but their efforts narrowly missed the mark.
ALSO READ FIFA Santosh Trophy: Arunachal’s spirited 3-3 draw against Goa lights up opening day
However, it was Manipur who drew first blood, as Pacha Singh unleashed a thunderous strike from 30 yards out, catching the Goa goalkeeper off guard and giving his side the lead.
Undeterred by the setback, Goa launched a spirited comeback in the second half, relentlessly pressing forward in search of an equaliser.
Their persistence paid off deep into injury time when Fernandes showcased his brilliance, executing an acrobatic back-volley to level the scores and force the game into extra time.
With tensions running high, both teams fought tooth and nail in the additional period, with Manipur pushing for a decisive breakthrough and Goa looking to capitalise on counterattacks.
In a dramatic turn of events, Fernandes once again emerged as the hero for Goa, netting the winning goal with just four minutes remaining on the clock.
The historic tournament, being held for the first time in the Northeast under floodlights, has added a new dimension to the competition.
This year, 12 teams vied for glory in the championship, with floodlit matches being introduced at key venues such as the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Naharlagun), Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy (Itanagar), and the NERIST football ground (Nirjuli), showcasing the region’s passion for the beautiful game.
