FC Goa go down 3-1 to Kerala Blasters

Noah Sadaoui scores his third goal of the season
Mumbai/Goa, November 13, 2022: FC Goa’s early runnings in the Indian Super League took a bit of a stumble tonight in Kochi as they went down 3-1 to Kerala Blasters. The Gaurs, who went into the game having won 3 out of their 4 opening games couldn’t continue their fine run as two late first-half goals took the wind out of them before a third at the beginning of the second made this a task too tall for Carlos Pena’s boys to overcome.
Pena rang in two changes for the game. While former Blasters man Alvaro Vazquez got in for Redeem Tlang, Saviour Gama was given his first start of the season, checking in for Fares Arnaout.
The match got off to a frantic start with both sides’ goalkeepers tested within the first 10 minutes. As Iker Guarrotxena and Alvaro Vazquez gave Prabshugan Gill gave moments to show off his prowess in between the sticks, Dheeraj Singh in the Goa goal continued his rich vein of form to thwart Sahal Abdul Samad’s effort from close range.
The Gaurs continued to create chances throughout the first half as they looked in charge of the proceedings. That was till the 42nd minute, when the game turned on its head.
A few seconds after Noah Sadaoui had failed to capitalise on a ravishing through ball from Guarrotxena, Blaster hits Goa against the run of play. Adrian Luna had the easiest task of diverting the ball into the net from five yards out after Sahal did well to control the ball in the box before turning his defender and playing it into the danger area.
A few minutes later, Kerala hit again, this time from the penalty spot after Anwar Ali was adjudged to have fouled Dimitrios Diamantakos with a last-ditch tackle. The Greek forward got up and put the opportunity away himself to give Kerala a two-goal lead into halftime.
Kerala kept the pressure up from the restart and built on their late surge in the first half. Ivan Kaliuzhnyi stretched the home side’s lead to 3 goals with a powerful thump from 30-odd yards out that left Dheeraj without a prayer.
Carlos Pena’s boys though showed resilience and didn’t throw in the towel even with a three goal difference. A few minutes after Guarrotxena had forced Gill into another brilliant low save from a one-on-one situation Goa finally got their coveted goal.
A brilliant delivery from Seriton Fernandes in his 100th appearance for the Club in the ISL was finished off in the box with a thumping header by Noah Sadaoui for his third goal of the season as the clock ran into the 67th minute.
The two sides continued to hammer and tong at each other for the rest of the 90 minutes, but only for some poor touches in the box and some superb goalkeeping to deny either side another goal.
The result sees FC Goa remain in fourth place on the table courtesy of 9 points from their 5 games. Kerala jump up to 5th on the table, tied on points with the Gaurs but having played a game more and with an inferior goal difference.
The Gaurs will be back in action this coming Sunday when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan in a match that will see their former head coach Juan Ferrando bring his troops to Goan shores for the first time since parting with the Club.
Also Read: Mumbai feels like home now: Bipin Singh
Also Read: Could India Ever Host the World Cup?
For more trial-related updates click: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Mumbai Kenkre stun league leaders with late-winner
Mumbai Kenkre FC’s wait for their first points of the new year came to an end with a stunning 2-1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Cooperage Stadium in…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
India to play in Merdeka Cup, confirms AIFF secretary general
There were uncertainties among Indian football fans regarding India’s participation in the competition but AIFF secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran has squashed the rumours Shaji Prabhakaran, the secretary general of AIFF,…
Kenkre FC strengthens defense with signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov
Mumbai-based Kenkre FC have announced the signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov for the remainder of the 2022/23 season. The 27-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to the team,…
Lenny Rodrigues returns to FC Goa, Glan Martins leaves on loan
Goa, January 24, 2023: FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder…
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa agree swap deal for midfielders
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have reportedly agreed to a swap deal for midfielders Glan Martins and Lenny Rodriguez The exact opposite deal happened in January 2021 when Lenny…
Hero Super Cup / Indian Super League
Kerala to host Hero Super Cup in April
NEW DELHI: The 2022-23 Hero Super Cup, featuring 16 teams in the Group Stage, will take place from April 8-25, 2023, in Kerala. Two of the three cities among Kochi, Kozhikode…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
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…
Elite Division / MDFA / 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…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…