VASCO: FC Goa were at their best on Sunday against Kerala however, had to settle for a point after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Indian Super League at Tilak Maidan, Vasco.
The first half had everything one would desire. There were tackles flying in, there were shots on target and more importantly there were goals with both sides getting on the scoresheet twice. Jackson Singh (10’) and Adrian Luna (20’) got on the scoresheet for Kerala while Jorge Ortiz (24’) and Edu Bedia (38’) kept Goa all level.
Kerala Blasters started stronger among the two sides and had plenty of early attempts on FC Goa goal but couldn’t convert the easy chances they had. However in the 10th minute, Kerala took the lead from Adrian Luna’s corner kick where Jeakson Singh got his head first to put the ball past Dheeraj Singh.
Kerala continued with their effortless football and soon found themselves up by 2-0. Though the goal stunned everyone, it was well deserved for them. Adrian Luna, who has been the best signing for Kerala scored an outrageous goal from outside the box. Vasquez managed to keep possession and played across to Luna, who had ample of time and space before he fired his shot which dipped into the goal after hitting the post.
FC Goa pulled a goal back within minutes. It wasn’t one of the best of deliveries from Saviour Gama, but definitely the finest first touches we have seen in the league from Jorge Ortiz to get the ball past his marker giving him more room and space to find the target which was way beyond the reach of an outstretched Gill, who had a touch to the ball, but just couldn’t keep it out of the goal.
Adrian nearly got his second assist of the night when he set up Sahal inside the box heading the ball towards him, however, Sahal put the ball over the bar from a 5-yard-distance.
And Kerala were soon punished for the missed chances with Edu Bedia scoring an Olympic goal. Bedia’s corner kick curled over the nervous keeper Prabhusukhran Gill to land straight at the far post to restore parity.
The match turned intense and physical and both sides fought to keep possession where Glan Martins and Jorge Diaz got physical where the referee flashed yellow to the Goan and accidentally gave yellow to Marko Leskovic for mistaken identity.
In the second half, FC Goa showed more energy than ever before. They had numerous chances created throughout and were unlucky not to get a penalty twice.
First Ortiz was brought down in the area by Bijoy V, however, the referee flashed a yellow card for the Spaniard for diving. Later Kerala Blasters skipper Jessel Carneiro looked to have clipped Seriton Fernandes in the area, where the referee showed no interest.
Ortiz nearly set up Devendra Murgaonkar for the winner in the 75th minute when he drew the entire Kerala defence line towards him leaving the striker with just the keeper, however, the former Salgaocar FC player shot straight at the keeper.
The Gaurs were unlucky not to walk away with three points. Edu Bedia’s brilliantly executed free kick got past the wall but clipped the crossbar and went out for a goalkick.
