Only a draw could have done justice to the performance put in by the teams tonight. FC Goa came from behind to record a 1-1 draw against champions Atletico de Kolkata at the JLN Stadium in Fatorda.
Arata Izumi opened the scoring for the away side in the 13th minute, while Keenan Almeida scored the equaliser for the hosts in the 81st minute.
Other players also stole the attention in the game, and here is a list of six players who gave their heart out for their team tonight:
Jofre (FC Goa)
The Spaniard lived up to his name and asserted once more why he is one of the best midfielders who have played in the Indian Super League. The former Barcelona man, who remained one of the key players for Atletico de Kolkata last year, showed his abilities once more in the FC Goa colours. From the start to the finish, the midfield general kept delivering lethal balls and releasing Mandar and Romeo from the flanks.
The workhorse continued his exploits even until the closing stages as he took plenty of shots on goal and forced saves from Amrinder Singh. His ball control, pace, and distribution of the ball has remained a pure spectacle for any football fan who watched the game.
Romeo Fernandes (FC Goa)
The 23-year-old Indian winger who is yet to receive a cap for the senior national team, stole the limelight in the first half for his impressive performances. Just point out any position in the field, and you find the Goan player there. From making jaw-dropping bursts of sprint to delivering dangerous crosses in the box and being a constant figure on the pitch, Romeo gave his best tonight for the ISL franchisee, and he definitely remained one of the best players on the pitch.
Lucio (FC Goa)
The Brazil veteran has still got it, and it shows. From showing his usual no-nonsense attitude on the pitch to making incisive runs to the attack and pulling the trigger on certain occasions, the World Cup winner gave us reasons more than one to show why he has been roped in as the marquee player by the legendary Zico. Apart from his usual centre-back position, Lucio also doubled up as a right-back on many occasions in the match, and he played his heart out today.
His towering header that came off the crossbar just moments following the start of the second-half remained another spectacle.
Arata Izumi (Atletico de Kolkata)
If there was one player who was pulling all the shots for the away side, it was Arata. The Japanese-born Indian midfielder scored the opener in the 13th minute as he blasted the cross from Javi Lara into the back of the net to give Atletico de Kolkata the lead. Even after the goal, his link-up with Lara did not end, as the duo combined in plenty of occasions to dictate the attack for the ISL champions.
Reinaldo (FC Goa)
The Brazilian was lethal as a goal poacher for FC Goa, and it is only a shame that he could not get on the scoresheet tonight. Right from the start of the match, the towering striker took plenty of pot-shots at the goal, but the defence of the away side remained firm enough to deny him on several occasions. Amrinder Singh's performance on the goal for ATK also remained noteworthy. Having said that, nothing can be taken away from the display put by the 36-year-old former PSG striker. He remained a complete workhorse tonight.
Amrinder Singh (Atletico de Kolkata)
The Indian custodian might not have been successful in preventing a goal tonight, but the innumerable saves he made is a testament to the fact that he is one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers of India at the moment. Mandar, Jofre, Reinaldo tried their luck from every place, but the 22-year-old Pune FC goalkeeper only tipped it away in every occasion.
He was instrumental in ATK's last game as well, and his performances will be something to watch out for as the Indian Super League progresses.
