FC Goa Reserves get blasted by Kerala at home

NT NETWORK

BENAULIM

FC Goa Reserves were all over the place as Kerala Blasters Reserves registered a deserving 2-0 win in the Second Division I League played at Vaddi ground, Benaulim on Monday. Sahal Samad scored a brace for the winners.

The skilful under-22 attacking midfielder of Kerala Blasters F C found the mark in the 59th and 85th minute –the first one being through a penalty kick while the second was scored when he intercepted a back pass by F C Goa defender Lalnunsiama.

On both occasions, it was the bungling by F C Goa keeper that made it possible for Kerala Blaster F C to score. In the first occasion, F C Goa keeper Mohammad Nawaz brought down Sahal Abdul Samd, prompting referee Umesh Bora to point to the dread spot while in the second, F C Goa keeper delayed to dart forward and collect Lalnunsiama’s back pass .Taking full advantage of the confusion, Kerala Blasters Sahal Abdul Samad darted forward, dodged the keeper and then slammed the ball in.

Kerala Blasters F C (Reserves) nonetheless carved out a deserving win as they played a much better game than FC Goa who were disorganised for the major part of ninety minutes.

F C Goa’s midfield gave a poor account of themselves failing to combine well with each other and were way behind the Kerala Blasters team in terms of cohesion and positional play.

With the exception of Kingslee  Fernandes –who did try to put up a brave front by spraying some passes–his  colleagues  Princeton Rebello, Hayden  Fernandes, Jeson Barbosa and Krishna Pandit could have done much better.

To make matters worse, F C Goa striker Aaren Silva put up a poor show, missing good chances to score. So was the case with attacking medio Krishna Pandit who could not convert from close distance on two occasions.

As against this showing by F C Goa Reserves the Kerala Blasters Reserves were superior in the midfield as well as
upfront.

It was only due to some good defending by F C Goa’s sturdy defender Meldon Silva that F C Goa survived some humiliation in the first session but collapsed later  in the second half.

In the closing of play, F C Goa came very close to pull a goal back but the effort of Princeton Rebello hit the side netting.