Team Herald

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FATORDA: Ferran Corominas’ second hat-trick of the tournament guided FC Goa to demolish Kerala Blasters 5-2 in the Hero Indian Super League match at the Nehru Stadium, here, on Saturday.

Manuel Lanzarote also continued his good form for the Gaurs by scoring other two goals. Mark Sifneos opened the scoring for the visitors and later Jackichand Singh was the only other Kerala player to get on the scoresheet.

Corominas now holds the record of scoring the fastest hat-trick in the league within seven minutes of the game.

After today’s win, FC Goa came on par with Bengaluru FC at the top of the table with nine points but had to settle for second position with a goal difference.

Kerala Blasters faced their first defeat as the visitors lost their Bulgarian and former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov due to injury in the fourth minute. But that didn't seem to have any effect on Rene Muelesteen’s side in the initial minutes, who opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Jackichand’s pinpoint cross into the box from the right wing found Mark Sifneos. The Dutch striker's shot crept under FC Goa goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani into the goal.

Lanzarote levelled the score for FC Goa with a side-footed volley within two minutes. The Spaniard then handed the home side the lead in the 18th minute of the game. Some sloppy play by Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Paul Rachubka gave Lanzarote an opportunity to have a go at the goal with style and precision.

However, FC Goa couldn't hold on to the lead for long. Jackichand equalised for Kerala Blasters at the half-hour mark after some one-touch play on the edge of the box between him and Milan Singh to open up the hosts defence. 

At half-time, both sides settled for a 2-2 draw.

Post resumption, it was the Corominas, who stole the limelight in front of the reverberating home crowd. Having scored a hat-trick in the previous game, the Spanish forward followed that up with another one in just seven minutes to take the game away from the visitors.  

Just into three minutes of the game, Ahmed Jahouh’s through ball put Corominas clear on goal, and the in-form striker slid past Rachubka to restore FC Goa’s lead. 

Two minutes later, Kerala Blasters’ defence was opened up again thanks to a similar move. This time, Pekuson put the ball through and Coro lifted in over the goalkeeper to double the home side’s lead.

Coach Muelesteen’s side looked shell-shocked and their defence was breached again in the 55th minute. Lanzarote’s low cross from the right was turned in by Coro who duly completed his hat-trick.   

The visitors tried to get back into the game but couldn’t penetrate the rival citadel.