ISL 2015: Goa squander chances plenty to draw against Pune

FC Goa manager Zico made six changes to the starting line-up for this game, along with a dramatic change in formation. The Gaurs had mostly used variations of 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-1-2 previously, but they changed to an attacking 3-4-3 formation with Lucio returning to the center of the defense.

The change worked wonders for the home team as they started the match on the front foot. The Gaurs received a golden opportunity in the ninth minute of the game, as Leo Moura played Thongkhosiem Haokip, who made his first start, through on goal. Haokip had the easy task of passing the ball into the net, past the on-rushing goalkeeper, but Roger Johnson cleared the ball off the line just in time.

Goa were dominating the game as the Pune defense struggled to deal with the pace and movement of their front-three. Leo Moura was dropping deep and exploiting the space between the midfield and the back-four. The Brazilian was afforded a lot of space and time on the ball to pick out his passes and he did not disappoint with his quality.

In the 19th minute, Mandar Rao Desai, after receiving a pass from Moura on the left wing, cut back inside and blasted the ball towards the top corner. But his thunderous effort rattled the crossbar and Steve Simonsen, in the Goa goal, exhaled a sigh of relief.

Despite creating a host of chances, Goa failed to find the back of the net, as both the teams went into the half-time break tied at 0-0.

Goa did not have to wait long for the goal in the second half though, as Johnson's own goal provided them with a deserved lead in the 46th minute. Jonatan Lucca produced a lovely cross from the left wing and the ball reached Romeo Fernandes at the far post. The Indian speedster drilled in a low cross across the goal and unfortunately for Pune, Roger Johnson turned it into his own net.

Kalu Uche could have provided have provided the away team with an unlikely lead as Bikash Jairu created a chance for him with a cross from the left wing. Uche chested the ball down, but before he could strike it, Goa defender Gregory Arnolin came across and did just enough to put him off his stride. The ball bounced off Uche's knee and struck the post, before the goalkeeper collected it.

At the other end, Steve Simonsen kept Pune in the game with two brilliant back-to-back saves – first to deny Mandar and then Luciano Sobrosa's header from a corner.

Goa eventually paid for those missed chances as the Stallions equalized against the run of play in the 63rd minute.

Dutch forward Wesley Verhoek, who was brought on to the pitch just seconds before this goal, produced a deadly cross from the right wing and Indian midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh found the corner of the net with a terrific header.

Both the teams failed to score the winner after this point and the match ended 1-1.

Pune would consider themselves lucky to have come out of this match with a point, sending them to the top of the table. David Platt would be concerned about how his defense failed to deal with crosses throughout the match.

Zico will be delighted with the performance Goa produced on the night, except for the finishing in front of the goal. But this new formation could be the way forward for the Gaurs, who are currently placed third in the league.