FC Goa qualify for playoffs but lose out on title race after 3-3 Punjab draw

Panaji: Punjab FC killed FC Goa’s title hopes in the Indian Super League (ISL) after a fighting 3-3 draw at the Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Monday.
In a must-win game, Carl McHugh gave Goa a fifth-minute lead, but the visitors were stunned with two quick goals from Wilmar Jordan Gil (54’) and Luka Majcen (62’). Noah Sadaoui converted a penalty ten minutes later only for Juan Mera to put Punjab ahead for the second time in the game with a wonderful strike in the 78th minute.Carlos Martinez (84’) scored the equaliser for Goa but there was not much time left to make a push for the winner.
The draw sees Manolo Marquez’s side remain fourth on the standings with 33 points from 19 matches. They have qualified for the knockouts with four games remaining in their league campaign, but the title race is now as good as over. Mohun Bagan Super Giant are on top with 36 points and a game in hand, while Mumbai also have 36.
“Whether the result is fair or unfair is a different story, but we don’t have enough players to fight for the Shield,” Manolo said during the post-match media interaction. “That’s the reality because we don’t have character. We conceded four goals in one half against Kerala (Blasters) and three in one half today. Without character and personality, we are in the position we deserve. We don’t deserve to be fighting for the Shield.”
Punjab FC jumped to seventh on the table with 21 points from 19 matches. They will now resume their season after the international break against Odisha FC on April 2 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.
Manolo recalled McHugh into the starting XI, a move that paid dividends just five minutes after kick-off.
The Irishman volleyed home from an inch-perfect corner-kick by Borja Herrera to score his first league goal in the ongoing season. The visitors then kept control of the proceedings for most of the first 45 minutes, and should have added to their lead easily if not for Punjab goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, who made a handful of vital saves.
In the 54th minute, Luka Majcen and Jordan Gil pounced on a defensive lapse by Goa, the latter scoring off a scruffy pass from the former. Seven minutes later, Majcen put his own name on the scoresheet with a stunning strike.
A foul on Boris Singh inside the opposition box resulted in a penalty for Goa in the 72nd minute, which Noah converted. But only six minutes later, the hosts regained their lead through Juan Mera’s goal.
With the contest heading towards a win for Staikos Vergetis and co, Carlos Martinez found himself at the right place at the right time to tap in Noah’s pass to rescue a point for the visitors.