Kerala Blasters FC coach Terry Phelan was a disappointed man following his team’s 5-1 defeat in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League at the hands of FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. Kerala took the lead through Victor Pulga in the second minute but failed to capitalise on that, as the Gaurs staged a good comeback and headed into the break leading 2-1 through goals from Reinaldo and Joffre. Josu Currias’ red-card at the stroke of half time made things worse for the home team and Reinaldo went on to score a hat-trick. Mandar Rao Dessai also chipped in with one goal. With their seventh defeat in 13 matches, Kerala’s remote semi-final hopes went up in smoke. “Well, see we started the game very well, but we conceded two sloppy goals, this has been the case throughout the season. That has been the story from day one. Against a team like Goa, it is very difficult to come back. The players kept going, they kept passing the ball but we couldn't find the goals we needed,” Phelan told reporters after the game.Phelan was also thankful to Kerala fans for standing by the side through thick and thin. “Like I said in an interview before, I love the fans here. I was a part of the community here and the technical director as well, so I've been a part of this crowd. I know we have disappointed the fans but all I can say to them right now is thank you very much for coming, hope to see you soon,” the former Irish defender said.Goa became the third team after Atlético de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos FC to reach the semis. Phelan was all praise for the Gaurs. “We were in a tough position against a good side with one man down today, especially when we were 2-1 down. Goa is a good team, they are well structured, they have a good practice routine and they have a good manager. For us, we just have to focus on the next game [vs Delhi Dynamos FC on December 3] and make sure we get a result,” he said.
