Team Herald
PANJIM: FC Goa’s entire season was summed up in their final Indian Super League match against Kerala Blasters FC at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim. They gave a hope of a win with their play, but in the end, disappointed their fans conceding soft goals giving away crucial points.
The Gaurs were two goals down in the first session and successfully managed to turn things around in the second half, scoring quadruple including Airam Cabrera’s hat-trick and looked to end a season on a high.
But that lasted till the 88th minute as Kerala struck twice at the death to steal another win from the Gaurs as both teams settled for a point in an eight-goal thriller.
FC Goa missed the services of their key players but like any other day, they played possession based football. Kerala Blasters, who had already qualified for the knockouts were comfortable allowing the Gaurs to take control of the game. For Kerala, they knew their part. They got two chances and they converted them.
FC Goa’s keeper Hritik Tiwari gave a pass to Anwar Ali, who was dispossessed by Sahal Samad. The lad ran into the area and sent in a low cross to Jorge Diaz, who successfully put the ball at the back of the net.
FC Goa conceded their second in the 24th minute from the spot after Hritik brought down Chencho Gyeltshen in the area. Diaz shouldered the responsibility and slammed the ball to make it 2-0.
However, FC Goa’s triple substitutions at the break worked out for the side. Airam Cabrera made an immediate impact after coming on. He pulled a goal back in the 49th minute guiding Edu Bedia’s free kick before scoring his second from the penalty spot to draw level.
In the 75th minute, Airam Cabrera missed a chance to score his hattrick after Makan Chothe squared the ball to the spaniard. The latter fired wide from close.
However, in the 79th minute FC Goa took the lead with a sublime finish from Aiban Dohling. Dohling on receiving a long ball on the left flank, cut past Kerala players and upon entering the box, slammed a powerful shot at the far post, which stunned the keeper.
Finally in the 83rd minute Airam completed his treble. Kerala Blasters lost possession in their own half where Devendra Murgaonkar made a fine run in the area and squared the ball to Airam in the box.
The Spaniard, this time makes no mistake, scoring with a first-time shot to give the Gaurs a two-goal cushion.
But just when it looked like FC Goa would end the season on a high, Kerala Blasters’ two second half substitutes stunned the Gaurs with two goals.
First it was a former FC Goa Vincy Barreto who scored in the 88th minute with a fine left foot strike after being set up by Chencho.
Two minutes later, another substitute Alvaro Vazquez made it 4-4 for Kerala with a low shot from the edge of the box to steal a draw from the jaws of defeat for Kerala Blasters.
