Indian Super League: FC Goa Edge Out Kerala Blasters 2-1

FC Goa put an end to Kerala Blasters FC's resurgence as the visitors handed them a 2-1 defeat in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday. With David James replacing Rene Meulensteen, Kerala had secured seven points from his first three games in charge, as much as Meulensteen in his seven games. However, the loss against Jamshedpur FC in the last game was followed by another 1-2 defeat at the hands of FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Ferran Corominas scored his 10th goal of the season in the seventh minute while another Spaniard, Edu Bedia, secured the winner in the 77th minute after CK Vineeth had drawn his team level in the 29th minute.

The win gave FC Goa 19 points from 10 matches but they continue to be placed fourth on the table.

The Goans however have a match in hand and can move to the top of the table if they can defeat Mumbai City FC in their next match at home coming Sunday.

As expected FC Goa started with attacking intentions and made it clear in the fourth minute when Manuel Lanzarote's shot from outside the box almost resulted in a stunning goal.

The ball, however, struck the post and rebounded back. Kerala, however, were not lucky three minutes later when Goa struck with a classic team goal.

A through ball from Brandon Fernandes for Mandar Rao Desai saw the winger cut it back for Corominas, and the highest goal scorer did well to hold on to it, look up and then shoot past the goalkeeper and defender Sandesh Jhingan on the goalline.

Kerala were subdued and did not trouble the Goa defence. Siam Hanghal was the first to have a good look at the rival goal and his attempt from outside the danger zone struck the crossbar before sailing out. That encouraged Kerala Blasters and they had the equaliser soon.

It was CK Vineeth who provided the breakthrough in the 29th minute.

A goal kick from Laxmikant Kattimani saw defender Wes Brown head it into the path of Hanghal who flicked it for Vineeth. The Kerala sharpshooter easily finished by hooking the ball into the top corner past an onrushing Kattimani.

In the second session, there were not too many chances for either team. Vineeth tried an ambitious overhead kick which sailed wide and another attempt from him went straight to the keeper.

For Goa, Lanzarote's free kick was off target and so was Mandar's shot from the left.

However, with Goa enjoying so much of ball possession, opportunity would always be there. That chance came in the 77th minute when Brandon Fernandes whipped in a corner which Edu Bedia glanced home the header across the goalkeeper into the far post for the winner.

-- Jamshedpur's fightback floors Dynamos in five-goal thriller --

Jamshedpur FC staged a remarkable recovery after being two goals down as they upstaged the Indian Super League's bottom-placed side Delhi Dynamos 3-2 in a five-goal thriller on Sunday.

Delhi started this Hero ISL clash on the front foot thanks to a brace from Kalu Uche in the 20th and 22nd minutes. But Jamshedpur FC never gave up. First, Tiri (29th minute) pulled a goal back before half-time and in the second session Yumnam Raju made it 2-2 in the 54th minute.

It was then left for substitute Trinandade Goncalves to score the match winner for the hosts in the 86th minute. The three points have lifted Jamshedpur FC to the fifth spot on the points table with 16 points from 11 matches.

Kalu Uche gave the visitors the lead with a header in the 20th minute of the game. Nandhakumar Sekar received the ball on the left wing and picked up the striker with a pin point cross in the box. Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper, Subrata Paul's desperate dive couldn't save it from entering the nets.