ISL 2015: Kerala Blasters 1-5 FC Goa- 5 Talking Points

Runners-up from the inaugural season of the ISL, Kerala Blasters, were subjected to a humiliating 5-1 defeat by a rampant FC Goa, in their own backyard, the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi. The Blasters went in front early on through midfielder Pulga, but the visitors came from behind to score five. Reinaldo scored a hat-trick while Joffre and Mandar Dessai scored the other two for Goa.The win assures Goa a birth the semi-final play-offs as they stand second with 22 points in the league table, while Kerala Blasters crash out, still remaining rooted to the foot of the table. Here are the major talking points from match number 50 of the Hero Indian Super League.

#1 Reinaldos stellar performance heats up the race for the golden boot

Reinaldo has now scored 7 goals for FC Goa from just 9 appearances

Reinaldo Oliveira was on song at Kochi, scoring 3 and assisting another playing a major role in Goa’s emphatic 5-1 victory. The Brazilian took home the match ball after bagging one of the easiest hat-tricks that anyone will ever score, tapping in all his 3 goals from close distance.

For Goa’s equalizer, Reinaldo played in Joffre with a deft touch, beyond the reach of Blasters’ defender, Peter Ramage.

Reinaldo’s first goal of the night came on the half hour mark when some neat interplay between Leo Moura and Mandar, played him through on goal. His second and the third came in the second half, both of which were easy tap-ins.

Reinaldo joined the race for the Golden boot with his hat-trick helping him up to third in the standings for the personal honour. The Brazilian now has 7 goals and is right on the heels of Iain Hume and Stiven Mendoza who have 9 and 10 goals respectively.

#2 Pulga opens his Kerala Blasters account

Spaniard Pulga scored his first ever goal for the Kerala Blasters to put them in the lead early in the game

One of Kerala Blasters’ longest serving members in the squad, Victor Herrero Forcarda, known as Pulga, has been a consistent figure in the Kerala Blasters squad for the past 2 seasons. The midfielder who likes to attack and make his way forward with his trademark runs, however, has been at the end of some criticism lately for the lack of goals in his game.

The 30-year old brought to an end his long wait in search of a goal, by finding the back of the net for the first time in Kerala Blasters colours. The goal came in as early as the second minute, after Antonio German’s good work from the flanks found Pulga with a clever cutback. The Spaniard met the pass first time, catching the Goa keeper, Kattimani off guard at the near post, with a half volley at the Sachin Tendulkar Pavilion end.

Pulga personally had a decent afternoon, but unfortunately, the same cannot be said about his team which collapsed miserably.

#3 Josu Currais Prieto sees red

Josu was shown a straight red card for assaulting Goa’s Joffre right at the stoke of half-time

In a controversial moment, Spaniard Josu Currais Prieto was given his marching orders by referee Nivon Gamini, right at the stroke of half time. FC Goa’s Joffre Gonzalez was closed down by Josu next to the touchline in stoppage time when the duo got into a physical altercation. Television replays suggest that Joffre was the one to violate the laws of the game by going into the challenge with his arm raised on Josu.

But in events that followed, Josu lost his head and punched the Goa player, right in front of the Goan dugout. The Sri Lankan referee, Nivon Gamini was quick to produce the red card ending Josu’s season in unfortunate circumstances.

It is a pity that the famed La Masia product had to end his season this way, having started off so brightly. A hero turned villain, Josu began his season well, striking all the right notes, scoring on their opening day at home against NorthEast and becoming a fan favorite. He did himself no favours by walking into the referee’s handbook in their last home game of the season.

#4 FC Goa march into the semi-finals

FC Goa secured a playoff berth in stunning fashion demolishing the hosts

All Goa needed going into the match were 3 points to assure them of a top four finish. The Guars managed to do just that in extravagant fashion. Things were made very easy for Zico’s men by Kerala who were poor for large parts of the match. Goa took full advantage, not holding anything back.

Having gone down, as early as the 2nd minute, Goa reacted with great vigour, drawing level on 12 minutes and taking the lead before the half-hour mark. Following the red card, there was no stopping Zico’s tactical ingenuity, as Goa ran riot.

Goa join Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos in the semi-finals as the third team in the league qualify for the playoffs, with 22 points from 13 matches. For Goa’s final league match, they will travel to the capital to face the Delhi Dynamos on the 6th of December.

#5 Kerala Blasters crash out after the humiliating defeat

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar owned Kerala Blasters crash out of the ISL 2015

Kerala Blasters, playing for the last time at home this season, crumbled right under the watchful eyes of team owner, Sachin Tendulkar. Kerala could have kept themselves in contention for a top-four finish with a win against FC Goa, but things did not quite pan out that way despite taking an early lead.

The Blasters were demolished at their fortress, in the second 45 minutes, the whole of which they had to play with just 10 men on their side.

The humiliating result sums up Kerala’s season as they never really got going after their win in the first round of fixtures. After playing 13 games under 3 different head coaches, Kerala sit rock bottom losing 7 matches and winning just three.

Kerala play the Delhi Dynamos next, who will put them out of their misery bringing an end to their predicament, when the Yellow army hit the road for the last time, for their final game of the season on the 3rd of December.