PANJIM:
FC Goa cemented their position in the top four with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Golden boot holder Ferran ‘Coro’ Corominas opened the scoring in the 7th minute after a composed finish from Mandar Rao Dessai’s cut back.
The men in yellow equalized before half time through CK Vineeth. Both teams came out firing in the second half in a bid to find a winner but it was the away side who broke the deadlock in the 77th minute when Hero of the match, Edu Bedia glanced a header to the far post from Brandon’s corner.
The Gaurs got off to the best possible start after Courage Pekuson hit an early shot wide. After that it was the turn of Manuel Lanzarote to hit one at goal after he received the ball, spotted the goal keeper off his line and released a stunning effort at goal which came back off the crossbar. A couple of minutes later, Brandon Fernandes received the ball in midfield, took his time and played Mandar Rao Dessai through down the left.
The Goan winger ran into the box and cut the ball back superbly for Coro who positioned himself well in the box, trapped the ball and finished it past a diving Paul Rachubka. Four minutes later, Mandar ran at the defence once more and shot at the near post but the English goal keeper made an easy save. Goa were the better side in the first 15 minutes as they kept possession and bombed forward in a bid to double their lead.
As the half progressed, the home side began to get into the game. Siam Hanghal took a brilliant shot from distance which ricocheted off the crossbar. Wes Brown became the first player to have his name taken by the referee for a cynical foul in the 27th minute.
As the men in yellow pushed for the equalizer, the Gaurs began to err in defence, and they were punished two minutes later. Kattimani’s poor clearance fell to the head of Brown who headed the ball forward towards Hanghal whose glancing header found the run of Vineeth. The Kerala striker got between the two defenders, ran at Kattimani and sidefooted the ball to the far post and equalize against the run of play.
The Gaurs seemed rattled by the goal and committed a few more errors in defence as the away side looked to press home the advantage and take the lead. Towards the end of the half, Hanghal fouled Coro and then kicked the ball at the striker but the referee refused to book the player. Things were heating up as both sides ventured forward in a bid to take the lead. However, neither side was able to take the lead before the referee called for time on the half.
It was more of the same in the second period as the hosts came out looking for a breakthrough. Vineeth could have found himself on the score sheet once again in the 52nd minute after he got between the Goan central defence once more with the ball at his feet.
He turned and shot on his left foot but was unable to trouble Kattimani. Goa could have taken the lead six minutes later after Lanzarote found Mandar with a peach of a lob. The Goan winger took the ball down and unleashed a shot that flew wide of the near post. In the 62nd minute, the men in yellow had a claim for a penalty waved off after Vineeth ran into the box, attempted to turn but tripped and fell from an Ali challenge. The ref let play continue.
It was a battle in midfield as both teams attempted to move forward in the hope of finding the lead. For the Gaurs, Edu Bedia and Ahmed Jahouh kept possession well and distributed the ball around the park. The Gaurs could have had the lead in the 74th minute after Edu curled a peach of a ball towards Coro who got between the two Kerala defenders.
The ball beat Sandesh Jhingan and landed at the feet of the Spaniard but he couldn’t control the ball. However, in his attempt to defend, Nemanja Lakic-Pesic almost tapped it into his own net. The Gaurs’ perseverance finally paid off in the 77th minute when they were awarded a corner.
Brandon stepped up and curled a fantastic ball towards the near post where Edu rose highest and glanced the ball to the far post to send his side into the lead. Sergio Lobera brought on Manvir Singh for Mandar late on and then withdrew Lanzarote for Manuel Arana. The Gaurs looked comfortable playing out of defence and attempted to hit Kerala on the counter. However, neither side was able to find another goal through six minutes of stoppage time.
