Kerala Blasters FC turned the tables on FC Goa with a sensational second-half performance, securing a 4-2 victory in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season. This win, their first after three matches, propelled the Kochi-based team into the fourth spot. FC Goa suffered their third consecutive defeat.
The match was a classic tale of two halves. FC Goa dominated the first half with a comfortable two-goal lead thanks to early strikes by Rowllin Borges and Mohammed Yasir. Borges opened the scoring with a volley from a corner kick in the sixth minute. Thenm, Yasir doubled the advantage, capitalizing on a pass from Noah Sadaoui.
The second half saw a revitalized Kerala Blasters FC. They mounted an incredible comeback spearheaded by Daisuke Sakai’s fantastic free-kick. Sakai’s goal from the left side of the box reduced the deficit and shifted the momentum in favor of the home side. It was a result of Ivan Vukomanovic’s halftime team talk and gameplay adjustments.
The match’s climax came in the final ten minutes. The Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos played a pivotal role. Diamantakos first leveled the scores with a confidently taken penalty in the 81st minute. Then, he added another goal, exploiting an overcrowded box to find the back of the net. The disarray in FC Goa’s defense was evident as they struggled to regain composure. Still, they allowed Diamantakos to assist Fedor Cernych. This fourth goal became a stunning turnaround in less than 40 minutes.
Diamantakos’s spectacular performance earned him the Key Performer of the Match title. His contribution of two goals and an assist, along with 13 completed passes and four earned fouls, underscored his importance to the team, especially in the absence of Adrian Luna. This performance will likely be a morale booster for Kerala Blasters FC as they aim to maintain their momentum in the league.
Kerala Blasters FC will face Bengaluru FC on March 2 in their next match, a contest that promises to be another exciting chapter in their campaign. On the other hand, FC Goa will look to bounce back when they take on Mumbai City FC on February 28, hoping to end their losing streak and reignite their season.
