CK Vineeth scored a dramatic injury-time winner against nine-man FC Goa to ensure a 2-1 victory for Kerala Blasters in an explosive Indian Super League football match here yesterday
Referee shows a red card to FC Goa's Gregory Arnolin (left) during the match against Kerala Blasters in Kochi yesterday
Referee shows a red card to FC Goa's Gregory Arnolin (left) during the match against Kerala Blasters in Kochi yesterday
Kochi: CK Vineeth scored a dramatic injury-time winner against nine-man FC Goa to ensure a 2-1 victory for Kerala Blasters in an explosive Indian Super League football match here yesterday.
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Vineeth struck in the ninth minute of added time at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Rafael Coelho provided FC Goa the lead in the ninth minute but the match took a dramatic turn early in second session when Goa captain Gregory Arnolin was sent off for handling the ball and Kerala Blasters won a penalty which Kervens Belfort converted to make it 1-1. In the 80th minute, Goa were reduced to nine men when Richarlyson was sent off for a double booking and despite Goa's efforts to hold fort, Vineeth managed to register the winner in added time.
Kerala's maiden home win
Interestingly, Vineeth had just returned to Kerala Blasters from Bengaluru FC after their AFC Cup engagements and played after joining the team in the afternoon. The first win for Kerala Blasters at home took them to fourth on the table with 12 points while leaving Goa at the bottom. FC Goa chief coach Zico surprised many by using just five foreign players while leaving international players like Joffre Gonzalez and Trindade Goncalves on the bench. He continued with a strong defence that had three international players and appeared to be banking on them to shut out opposition.
Match takes a twist
The match took a dramatic twist in the second session when it was just 30 seconds old. FC Goa captain Arnolin was adjudged to have handled a deflected ball inside the danger area and the referee not just awarded a penalty but also sent off Arnolin. Belfort made no mistake with the penalty. With an additional player, Kerala Blasters enjoyed the advantage but could not surge ahead as Mohammed Rafi, Rafique and Josu Prieto all missed from close range. Kerala were emboldened again when Goa were reduced to nine men in the 80th minute after Richarlyson was booked for the second time. Goa packed its defence but despite their best efforts, Kerala grabbed all points.
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