Lenny Rodrigues injury time goal rescues a point for 10 man Goa against Kerala Blasters
A 10-man FC Goa denied Kerala Blasters FC their second win of the Hero Indian Super League after an injury-time strike from Lenny Rodrigues ensured a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
Sergio Cidoncha’s (2′) early goal helped the hosts set the tempo for Kerala Blasters. Mourtada Fall (41′) pulled Goa level before the break but was sent off for a last-man tackle in the second-half. Raphael Messi Bouli (59′) regained the lead for Kerala Blasters. However, a late goal from Lenny (90+3′) struck daggers into the hearts of an expectant home crowd.
Eelco Schattorie’s injury-hit team are now winless since the opening game against ATK and are eighth in the table with five points. The Gaurs are fourth on the table with nine points.
The hosts got off to a terrific start by taking the lead in the second minute. A long throw-in from the left by Raju Gaikwad hit Mourtada Fall who failed to clear the danger. The ball fell to Sergio Cidoncha whose first-time strike grazed the goalkeeper’s gloves before rolling into the net.
Goa struggled to up the ante immediately as Kerala Blasters’ energetic midfield denied their counterparts time and space to pick out their passes. Brandon Fernandes escaped his marker’s attention in the 18th minute, but his through ball was too heavy for an overlapping Mandar Rao Dessai.
Chances were few and far between as the game was mostly played in midfield. After struggling to create chances for most of the half, Sergio Lobera’s side found a way back into the game just before the breakthrough with a set-piece. An Edu Bedia free-kick was thwarted away by the Kerala defence, but only as far as Jackichand Singh, whose pin-point cross from the right was headed in with aplomb by Fall.
Goa were dealt a hammer blow soon after the restart when Fall was sent off for a last-man challenge on Ogbeche. The defender lunged in from behind and failed to make contact with the ball.
The player advantage helped Kerala Blasters take control of the game and they doubled their lead soon. Prashanth Karuthadathkuni dribbled forward down the left flank and slid a low pass across the face of the goal for Messi, who guided the ball into the back of the net. With the game looking done and dusted in favour of the home side, Goa came up with a late equaliser at the death.
Manvir Singh latched on to a pass from the right, dropped his shoulder to skip past his marker and forced a save from goalkeeper TP Rehenesh. The goalkeeper pushed the ball into the path of Lenny who slotted into the net, delivering another massive heartbreak for Kerala Blasters.
Courtesy of ISL media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Last gasp equaliser salvages a point for ATK
Also Read: FIFA delegation satisfied with Ahmedabad for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020
We would love to hear your Feedback on your Football Counter experience
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…