Kerala Blasters Come From Behind To Beat FC Goa 2-1

Kerala Blasters FC came from behind to beat FC Goa 2-1 in their ISL match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Monday, in front of more than 18,000 fans.

The hosts started well and took the lead in the 24th minute after Brazilian Richarlyson Barbosa’s cross from the left was headed home past Sandip Nandy by Julio Cesar.

The Blasters looked determined to get back in the game but regardless of their efforts, they went into the break a goal down.

They didn’t wait long, just 20 seconds into the second half they equalised courtesy of Mohammed Rafi’s tap-in. Despite dominating possession during this period they struggled to create clear cut opportunities.

Cesar came close to scoring a brace around the hour mark but Nandy stopped his attempt. Finally, in the 85th minute they were rewarded after Kervens Belfort drove past a couple of blue shirts and smashed home the winner from 25 yards, as Goa succumbed to their second defeat this season, at the Fatorda Stadium.

Meanwhile, former champions Atletico de Kolkata went into their match with Mumbai City on Tuesday, as the only unbeaten team in the ISL but by the full time whistle had suffered their first defeat.

Both sides started the match at the Rabindra Sarobar stadium on even footing, looking to attack but as time went on, Mumbai began to dominate possession, leaving Atletico to play on the counter.

However, neither team had any success until the 79th minute, when Mumbai’s talisman Diego Forlan ended Atletico’s unbeaten record with a powerful left footed shot, that their goalkeeper failed to keep out.

Forlan’s goal, his second of the ISL season, shocked the home side who desperately tried to get back into the game after that, coming close in the 85th minute when Javi Lara’s free-kick almost met his head. Mumbai’s defence held on to take all three points.