ISL 2016 | Kerala come from behind to beat Goa 2-1 in Fatorda
Kerala Blasters FC came from behind to beat FC Goa 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Monday. Goa took the lead through Julio Cesar's goal in the 24th minute, but second-half strikes by Mohammed Rafi and Kervens Belfort capped off a superb comeback for the visitors.
It took 10 minutes for the first shot on goal, which went Kerala’s way after a mazy run by Belfort saw the Haitian dance past the Goan defence before getting a shot away from outside the box. Gaurs custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury was comfortably positioned in goal to make the
A quality cross from the left by
Kerala found their equaliser straight from the restart after Mehtab Hossain found Mohammed Rafique with space on the right. Rafique’s dangerous low cross across Goa’s six-yard box was met by Rafi’s left foot to make it 1-1. Cesar went close to restoring Goa’s lead in the 54th minute with an effort from range that was fractions wide of Kerala’s goal. The Brazilian’s next attempt forced Nandy into a save nine minutes later after a powerful free-kick from far out required the Indian goalkeeper’s intervention low to his left.
The Blasters had a huge opportunity of scoring the winner when Michael Chopra found the ball at his feet in the 80th minute. His shot was expertly saved by Chowdhury in goal as the home support roared in approval. It turned out to be Chopra’s last involvement in the game as he had to be stretchered off the pitch soon. The Gaurs started looking shaky in defence with the game approaching its climax. Gregory Arnolin almost scored an own goal in the 83rd minute when an attempted header back to Chowdhury struck the frame of Goa’s goal.
Belfort scored the winner a minute later for the men in yellow. The Haitian received a