Indian Super League: Adrian Luna, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and Ivan Kaliuzhnyi help Kerala Blasters win against FC Goa
Kerala Blasters registered a thrilling 3-1 victory over FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Nehru Stadium on Sunday. The Blasters have climbed two spots from seventh to fifth in the rankings
Kolkata, West Bengal, India. 11th June, 2022. Different moments of 4th match of AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers Final Round Group D at Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan)Goa, who won three out of their first four matches, were the stronger contenders, but lower-ranked Blasters exceeded expectations. They netted three goals, out of which two were scored in the first half leaving Goa somewhat stunned.
Their leading scorer Noah Sadaoui scored the only goal for the Gaurs, while Adrian Luna, Dimitrios Diamantakos and Ivan Kaliuzhnyi converted for the Blasters.
Kaliuzhnyi, the highest goalscorer so far this season, netted his fourth goal in six games. The Gaurs were in a tricky spot as Sahal Samad, and Adrian Luna challenged the defenders.
Sahal craftily dodged past defenders swiftly and entered the box many times. At one such instance, he tackled a defender and threw a clean pass from the left to Luna, who had to send it home from point-blank range for the first goal of the match 42 minutes in.
The Blasters did not stop even after their first goal. At the stoppage time of the first half, forward Dimitrios Diamantakos was challenged by Goa's Anwar Ali inside the penalty box.
The Greeks kept a straight face and went for it. In the first minute of stoppage time, he converted the penalty kick, and the Blasters went into the break leading 2-0.
The Blasters kept their momentum at the start of the second half, and by the 52nd minute, Kerala netted the third goal, thanks to Ivan Kaliuzhnyi. The Ukrainian player received a pass from Diamantokos and converted a 30-yard left-footer.
FC Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem couldn't make the save. Despite having loose defence this season, the Blasters exhibited improved efforts and broke into the Goa attack many times.
Goa midfielder Noah Sadaoui darted in from the left flank around 60 minutes in, but Sandeep Singh strongly marked him. In the 67th minute, he netted the only goal for the Gaurs with a well-timed header.
Seriton Fernandes launched a pinpoint cross at Noah from the right flank, and the latter took a clean header. The Gaurs failed to convert their chances despite dominating possession with a 66% hold over the ball.
Excluding Noah's goal, the Gaurs failed to impress in the final third. The Blasters, ranked fifth have ninth points under their belt, similar to the Gaurs, who are still one match behind.
They will now host ATK Mohun Bagan on November 20, and the Gaurs can overtake the Mariners if they win the next match. On the other hand, Kerala Blasters will face table-toppers Hyderabad FC on November 19.