ISL 2021-22: FC Goa end campaign with 4-4 thriller against Kerala Blasters

An entertaining goal-fest at the SAG Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, saw Kerala Blasters hold FC Goa to a draw in an eight goal thriller on Sunday as the Gaurs rounded off the season by extending the unbeaten run against Kerala to 10 games. Both teams scored four goals apiece, and Goa’s Airam Cabrera made the night memorable with a well-deserved hat-trick.

Aibanbha Dohling also netted for the Gaurs, while Jorge Pereyra Diaz (x2), Vincy Barretto and Alvaro Vazquez got their names on the score sheet for the Yellow Army.

Kerala Blasters scored against the run of play in the 10th minute to Kickstart proceedings. Jorge Pereyra Diaz netted his seventh goal of the season from close range, after beating his marker to deflect in a low cross from Sahal Abdul Samad from the right.

The Argentine struck again in the 26th minute, this time from a penalty. With a two-goal cushion also came a change in approach from the Yellow Army as they upped their pressing game. The Gaurs, however, were not ready to give up and continued to enjoy plenty of ball-possession, but without much to show for it.

The first half ended 2-0 in favour of Kerala Blasters, but the best was yet to come as proved by FC Goa in the remaining 45 minutes.

The Men in Orange took just four minutes to score after the start of the second period, as substitute Airam Cabrera netted his fourth goal of the season. A delicious ball in from Edu Bedia at the right flank went through everyone in the box before presenting itself as a gift for Airam Cabrera to head in.

Cabrera was then denied a second within minutes owing to an offside flag. The Spaniard though looked locked in and it was his strike from the spot in the 63rd minute.

With parity restored, FC Goa remained hungry and kept pressing for a third. That finally arrived in the 79th minute Aibanbha Dohling curled in an amazing strike after cutting in from the left flank which even a fully stretched Prabhsukhan Gill failed to stop. .

Just three minutes later, Airam Cabrera completed his hat-trick. The match now looked to be out of Kerala Blasters’ hands, but they had other plans as well.

In the 88th minute, Chencho Gyeltshen and former Gaur Vincy Barretto combined for KBFC’s third goal scored by the latter. And just when everyone thought it was all over, Alvaro Vazquez scored in the 90th minute, to help Vukomanovic and co. hold FC Goa for a draw in their final league match of the season.

The Gaurs end their campaign in lowly ninth place with 19 points to show from their 20 games. And in doing so, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

FC Goa Media Release