FC Goa fought back from a goal down to hold defending champions Atletico de Kolkata 1-1 in their second round match of the Indian Super League at the Nehru stadium, in Fatorda, Goa, on Wednesday.
With both teams going into the match after first round victories, it was a fast-paced, scrappy encounter.
While the Kolkata side held a slight edge in the first quarter during which they went ahead, the hosts called the shots in the second half and should have scored more than once.
Izumi Arata put Atletico de Kolkata ahead in the 13th minute connecting home a cross from winger Javi Lara, while Keenan Almeida restored parity for the Goans -- beaten by the Kolkata side in the semi-finals last year -- finding the net with a right-footed pile-driver from the top of the box in the 81st minute.
The match saw the first red card of the second edition of the league, Baljit Sahni earning the unenviable distinction for head-butting Goa defender Gregory Arnolin in the 60th minute.
The incident brought back memories of the last season when the latter was involved in an identical incident with the then Atletico de Kolkata striker Fikru Teferra.
Image: Iain Hume takes evasive action as teammate Izumi Arata sends the ball past FC Goa's Lucio to put Atletico de Kolkata ahead
Photograph: ISL
