Injury-hit Goa snatches thrilling win

Captain Gregory Arnolin scores the matchwinner; Kerala Blasters slump to third straight defeat.

GOOD SHOW: Gregory Arnolin of FC Goa (right) celebrates his goal against Kerala Blasters in the ISL on Thursday.

An injury-hit FC Goa snatched an important win against Kerala Blasters in the Hero ISL match at the Fatorda stadium here on Thursday.

FC Goa came from behind to beat Kerala Blasters 2-1 for its third win in the league.

The win took FC Goa to 10 points from five matches. Captain Gregory Arnolin scored the match-winner in the 83rd minute for an unlikely win for the host.

Kerala Blasters, despite giving one of its better performances in the league, slumped to its third straight defeat in the league and has four points from five matches.

Goa, till Arnolin’s goal, was playing catch up with the visitors who were clearly the better side in the second half. Goa punished the Kochi side for sloppy defending during corner drills which saw it score both its goals. Blasters failed to convert their chances and paid a heavy price for that in the end.

Kerala Blasters coach Peter Taylor made five changes in the starting line-up.

The changes brought the desired effect on the Kerala side which played positively from the start. With slick passing and showing better coordination, the Kochi side was able to control the play in the midfield.

Defenders Jinghan and Marcus Williams also moved up to create chances but strikers Watts and Rafi were not allowed space by Luciano and Arnolin.

Rafi strikes

However, in the 24th minute, a fine cross by Rahul Bheke from the right flank saw Mohammad Rafi beat Kattimani with a header to put Kerala Blasters in the lead.

Goa regrouped after the reverse with Moura shoring up the responsibility of initiating the moves. But the Blasters defence was able to baulk the Goa moves and Rahul nearly put Blasters ahead in the 39th minute with a curling shot off a free-kick which was tipped over for a corner by Kattimani.

As Goa pressed hard, Kerala Blasters conceded a needless corner which paved way for the equaliser.

The Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Stephen palmed a corner taken by Jonathan Lucca and the ball came to an unmarked Leonardo Da Silva Moura who whipped in a right-footer from top of the box for the equaliser during injury-time.

The result: FC Goa 2 (Leonardo Da Silva Moura 45+, Gregory Arnolin 83) bt Kerala Blasters 1 (Mohammad Rafi 24).