Kochi: After a steady resurgence Kerala Blasters seems to have retreated back into it’s shell with another 1-2 defeat against FC Goa, their fourth this season and second successive at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
A change at the helm of affairs saw the Blasters secure seven points in three matches, the same as previous coach René Meulensteen achieved in seven games. But a defeat to Jamshedpur four nights ago followed by the same margin against FC Goa means they are seventh with 14 points from 12 games.
Goa meanwhile remained fourth despite the win, however are just two points behind leaders Bengaluru FC who have 21 points from from 11 games, one more than the ‘Gaurs’. But the visitors next play Mumbai City and a win there will certainly put them back to the top.
Coming into the match after a hard win against Jamshedpur, it was the ‘Gaurs’ who started well and should have gone ahead in the opening two minutes but Manuel Lanzarote’s shot after the space he was given to make his run from midfield hit the woodwork before going out of play.
It however seems peripheral as the visitors soon went ahead in just the seventh minute of the match, when Brandon Fernandes found Mander Rao Dessai and the latter ran open into the box before passing it to an unmarked Ferran Corominas, the Spaniard’s second touch turning into a goal.
It was as if the Kerala defence that comprises of such high-profile names had gone off to sleep leaving both Desai and Corominas unmarked. Their loose possession had cost them so early into the match, but despite all that the Blasters slowly crawled back and when Siam Hanghal’s capacious shot struck the upright, it was an warning to the opposition.
For minutes later Kerala would level terms through CK Vineeth, whose control of the ball after Hanghal had flicked it towards him send him clear on goal and the local hero made no mistake from there, in the 29th minute.
He came close later again but shot wide while Pekuson hit straight at Kattimani, when Hume was the better option. The game had however burst to life at the hour mark when Vineeth was tripped inside the box that looked like a potent penalty but referee waved play-on.
FC Goa then went on to regain their lead 13 minutes before the end of normal time, when Edu Bedia headed in another curled effort from Fernandes and though the Canadian Hume had a glorious chance to bring his team back into the context after an open opportunity, he headed straight at the custodian Kattimani.
It was their second consecutive defeat and fourth overall, that left the Blasters lingering on seventh, while the ‘Gaurs’ now can go to the top with another win.