ISL | Bengaluru FC roars back to earn a draw against FC Goa

Ryan Williams kickstarts BFC’s comeback with this strike during the Indian Super League football match against FC Goa at the Sree Kanteerva Stadium, in Bengaluru on December 14, 2024.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

Bengaluru FC staged a spectacular comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against FC Goa in the Indian Super League at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday.

Second-half goals from the outstanding winger Ryan Williams and Jorge Pereyra Diaz denied Manolo Marquez the three full points which seemed a certainty three-fourths into the contest.

In the 71st minute, Williams slotted home a superb chipped ball from substitute Vinith Venkatesh — the game-changing quality from the bench that BFC missed all of last season — before Pereyra Diaz bundled home from close after Williams hit the post.

Jorge Rolando Pereyra Diaz celebrates after scoring BFC’s equaliser during the Indian Super League football match against FC Goa at the Sree Kanteerva Stadium, Bengaluru, on December 14, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR

If not for a lack of killer instinct in the first period and a defensive mistake that handed the visitors their second goal, BFC could have well won the tie.

For much of the evening, it looked like BFC would pay for its lethargy. Goa went ahead in the seventh minute through a fine Sandesh Jhingan set-piece header. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was beaten despite a full-length dive as the ball went in off the post.

BFC responded by attacking in hordes, but without much penetration in the final third. Williams, though, was a livewire and forced a fine save from ‘keeper Hrithik Tiwari from a curler. Edgar Mendez had a chance, but drilled one straight at the goalie.

On 66 minutes, a forceful clearance from Naorem Roshan from inside the penalty area was miscontrolled by Sunil Chhetri, and Sahil Tavora hit it first time into the top corner. The home side appeared deflated, but found a second wind just in time to keep its place in the top-two (12 matches, 24 points).

The result: Bengaluru FC 2 (Williams 71, Pereyra Diaz 83) drew with FC Goa 2 (Jhingan 7, Tavora 66).