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

Bengaluru FC stages comeback to draw 2-2 with FC Goa in Indian Super League, showcasing resilience and determination.

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.

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).