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Czech Republic striker Miroslav Slepicka struck twice on either side of an Andre Santos goal to help FC Goa cruise to an easy 3-0 win at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao. The performance handed the all-important three points to the home side, who now climb to third, level on points with Kerala Blasters, but ahead on goal difference.
In what was an all-important clash, FC Goa kept their winning team intact with Pires finding himself on the bench again, while Kerala Blasters rung in a couple of changes with Ishfaq Ahmed and Andrew Barisic being selected in favour of Iain Hume and Milagres Gonsalves.
Attacking first half bears no goals
The game kicked off in full swing with chances being created at either end. While Kerala had a chance from the corner in the first minute, FC Goa could have scored at the other within a minute as Tolgay was through on goal. His shot took a touch of Hengbart and the follow up strike from Santos produced a world class save from David James. The former England International was not done yet as he had to be at his very best to prevent an Amiri header going into the back of the net.
It was end to end stuff as Kerala and FC Goa surged ahead one after another and the team’s seemed a bit sloppy in defence. Tolgay then needed to be taken off and was replaced by Slepicka to lead the attack. But FC Goa kept attacking.
It was time for some Brazilian flair as Andre Santos slid a superb through ball to put Mandar one-on-one with James who rushes out and deflected the ball behind for a corner, while Romeo had his hands on his head. Minutes later, James’ mistake put Santos through, who thought he had scored until Gurwinder came rushing back and headed the ball out of danger. The teams went into half time with no goals on the board.
Slepicka frenzy
Having not been able to settle in the game well, Kerala Blasters management made a couple of changes at half time with Godwin Franco and Romey being taken off in favour of Hume and Gonsalves. But it did not have any instant impact as FC Goa kept their foot on the accelerator.
FC Goa came perilously close through Amiri and Romeo, who did well to get their shot away, but failed to end it in the back of the net. The chances finally paid off as FC Goa earned a free-kick with Jhingan bringing down Narayan Das outside the box on the left corner. Santos sent in a free-kick and an unmarked Slepicka at the far post tapped it in to send the home side in ascendency in the 63rd minute.
There was no looking back for Goa as they maintained their surge. In the 69th minute, FC Goa ran free with Slepicka playing through to Romeo in the box who then cut it back to Santos, who ended the ball into the back of the net.
FC Goa were not done yet as Bikramjit and Slepicka played a good one-two near the edge of the box to set Slepicka up, whose initial shot was saved easily be James, but the striker didn’t give up and his diving attempt saw him beat James and put the hosts 3-0 ahead in the 79th minute.
There was no way back for Kerala as FC Goa held their lines well. Each team had a few half-chances, but neither scored and it ended at 3-0. The win now puts FC Goa thrird, ahead of Kerala Blasters on goal difference.
