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ISL 2020-21: FC Goa wins their first game of the season against Kerala Blasters 3-1

ISL 2020-21 Match 19 – FC Goa bagged their first win in the Indian Super League Season 7 as they thumped Kerala Blasters 3-1 courtesy of a brace from Igor Angulo.

FC_Goa ISL 2020-21 against Keral Blasters Match 19
image credit: newindianexpress.com

This article was originally published in News18.com

Igor Angulo shines in their first win

A brace from Igor Angulo (30′, 90′) and one from Jorge Ortiz Mendoza (52′) ensured Juan Ferrando picked up his first win as Goa head coach. Vincente Gomez (90′) scored a consolation goal for Kerala.

Ferrando made two changes to the side that was held by NorthEast United as James Donachie and Alexander Jesuraj were included. Nishu Kumar, Gomez and Nongdamba Naorem returned to the starting eleven for Kerala.

First Half

The first big chance for the Gaurs arrived early on in the 10th minute when Mendonza beat Nishu to take control of a long ball and fired a shot from outside the box, only to see his effort hit the crossbar. The home side came close to grabbing the lead once again seven minutes later, only to be denied by the upright. A miscued pass from Rohit Kumar put Angulo through on goal. The striker, with only the keeper to beat, attempted to curl his shot into the bottom corner but it struck the far post.

However, Angulo soon made up for the missed opportunity around the half-hour mark as he put Goa ahead. Gama flicked the ball towards Angulo in the box and the striker delightfully dinked it over Kerala goalkeeper Albino Gomes to bag his fourth goal of the season.

ISL 2020-21 Points Table

League Standings (after Match 19)
TeamPlayedWonLostDrawGFGAPoints
Mumbai City FC4310619
ATK Mohun Bagan3300409
NorthEast United FC4202638
Hyderabad FC3102215
FC Goa4112655
Bengaluru FC3102325
Chennaiyin FC3111224
Jamshedpur FC3012452
Kerala Blasters FC4022362
Odisha FC4031261
SC East Bengal3030070

FC Goa Keep the Pressure

Goa returned hungrier after the break and continued to pile on the pressure. Their efforts soon bore fruit as they doubled their lead through Mendoza. The forward received the ball outside the box and traded a lovely one-two with Brandon Fernandes before burying his shot into the far corner. Kerala pushed hard in search of a goal and came close in the 67th minute. Gomez won the ball inside the box but saw his shot rattle the underside of the crossbar.

Goa added another goal late in injury time as Angulo pounced on a blunder from Gomez.


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