Blasters score late in 8-goal thriller to hold Goa in ISL

BAMBOLIM: Alvaro Vazquez scored in the 90th minute as Kerala Blasters came back from a twogoal deficit as they held FC Goa to a 4-4 draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 at the Athletic Stadium here on Sunday.

FC Goa and Kerala Blasters FC played one of the best games with a crazy scoreline (4-4) in the last game of the league season for both sides.

Jorge Diaz (10’,25’) scored two goals for Ivan Vukomanovic’s side in the first half but, second-half goals by super-sub Airam Cabrera (49’, 63’, 82’) and Aiban Dohling’(79’) put FC Goa into a two-goal lead with minutes let in the game. However, late goals by Vincy Bareto (88’) and Vazquez (90’) helped Kelara Blasters FC complete an incredible comeback in the dying embers of the game.

Kerala Blasters FC started off the match on the front foot. They scored their first goal of the game in the 10th minute. Diaz sloted the ball into the back of the net ater a low cross by Sahal Samad.

Just minutes later, Hritik Tiwari brought down Chencho Gyeltshen inside the box and gave away a penalty. It was expertly finished off by Diaz to score his second of the game. Vukomanovic’s side completely dominated the first half and started to cool down in their intensity as the first half progressed.

The first half ended with FC Goa unable to have a single shot on target even though they had 60% of the possession. However, the Gaurs began the second half in marauding style. In the 49th minute, Cabrera put the ball into the goal following a great pass by Edu Bedia and reduced their deficit.

At the other end, Sahal Samad tried to score with an audacious volley but his shot went over the crossbar. Diaz then had an opportunity to score his third of the game, but he was unable to get on the end of a delicious pass. In the 63rd minute of the game, Cabrera converted a penalty and equalised the score. Cabrera had a chance to put Goa into the lead, ater some great dribbling by Makan Chothe but he was not able to convert the chance.

In the 79th minute, Dohling got the ball on the let flank and sloted the ball into the back of the net to put FC Goa into the lead. Cabrera got his hat-trick from the bench. Devendra Murgaonkar put in a low cross to Cabrera who finished it off to double the lead. In the 88th minute, Vincy Bareto scored another goal for Kerala Blasters and just two minutes later, Alvaro Vazquez drilled the ball into the botom corner to complete a memorable comeback.