A Mourtada Fall mistake gave Kerala Blasters the lead, before the tall centre-back scored one himself as FC Goa and the home side share the spoils at half-time in the Indian Super League clash in Kochi.
Exactly one minute into game, midfielder Sergio Cidoncha scored to give the home team the unlikeliest of leads. Coming into the game off four winless games, Kerala Blasters used the early goal to their benefit and looked like a rejuvenated side.
A long throw into the box from Blasters left-back Jessel Carneiro landed at the feet of Mourtada Fall, whose botched clearance was seized by a waiting Cidoncha at the edge of the box. The Spaniard spanked the ball into the bottom left corner of the net, and goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz could do little to keep the ball out as it brushed his outstretched palm.
In the 41st minute, Blasters new signing Vlatko Drobarov rashly halted a Goa counter-attack with a cynical tackle, about 30 yards from goal. He received a booking for it. The free kick was pushed away by Kerala’s custodian T.P. Rehenesh. The stray ball was picked up by Goa’s winger Jackichand Singh, who whipped in a cross to the far post to find a towering Fall. The Senegal defender made amends by heading it into the back of the net, although Rehenesh could have done better to keep it out.
In the stoppage time, Blasters captain and striker Bartholomew Ogbeche let loose a thunderous strike from outside the Goan box but an alert Nawaz fisted it out.
Both teams are struggling with injuries and suspensions, the most notable being the absence of the dangerous Goa striker Ferran Corominas. The Goans, predictably, lacked bite in attack, as Kerala dominated most of the half. It will be interesting to see how the two head coaches—Sergio Lobera and Eelco Schattorie—respond to the present score line in a must-win game for both teams.
Playing XIs:
Kerala Blasters:
TP Rehenesh (GK), Raju Gaikwad, Mohamad Rakip, Jessel Carneiro, Vlatko Drobarov, Sergio Cidoncha, Sahal Abdul Samad, Jeakson Singh, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Bartholomew Ogbeche (C), Messi Bouli
FC Goa:
Mohammad Nawaz (GK), Carlos Pena, Seriton Fernandes, Saviour Gama, Mourtada Fall, Mandar Rao Dessai (C), Lenny Rodrigues, Edu Bedia, Jackichand Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Manvir Singh
