Kerala Blasters FC and FC Goa played out a 1-1 draw in Match 68 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday. The Gaurs went ahead courtesy of a deflected freekick by Jorge Ortiz but a second-half goal from Rahul KP from a corner rescued a point for the Blasters.

• Jorge Ortiz scored in the 25th minute to give his side the lead.
• Rahul KP levelled the score in the 57th minute for Kerala Blasters.
• FC Goa were down to 10 men after Ivan Gonzalez was shown a red card. 

Both ends witnessed action early on with the Blasters coming close to the opener in the 5th minute. Gaurs goalkeeper Naveen Kumar fumbled the ball on the edge of his penalty box after he was pressurised by Gary Hooper.

However, the Kerala Blasters striker could not capitalise as an FC Goa defender managed to clear his lines. A minute later, at the other end of the pitch, Ortiz fired an effort from inside the box and saw his attempt hit the frame of the goal before Kerala’s defence cleared the danger.

Goa’s chances kept coming with Devendra Murgaokar forcing the first save of the night from the Blasters goalkeeper in the 17th minute when the Gaurs youngster headed a cross from Alberto Noguera straight to Albino Gomes.

They finally made their chances count with a goal in the 25th minute after an Ortiz freekick took a deflection off Sahal Abdul Samad’s head and caught the goalkeeper off his line before finding the back of the net.

Kerala thought they were back in the game in the 40th minute after Bakary Kone took advantage of a lapse by Naveen and put the ball into the net. However, the effort was ruled out for a handball as the Gaurs goalkeeper was spared his blushes heading into the halftime break.

Coming into the second half, Kerala Blasters upped the ante in search of the equalising goal. A corner crossed in by Facundo Pereyra was headed on goal by Kone but the effort went over the crossbar.

Keeping the pressure up, the goal finally came for Kerala Blasters in the 57th minute from yet another corner delivered by Pereyra and Rahul did the rest through a lovely header.  

FC Goa were reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute after Ivan Gonzalez was given his marching orders. Kerala Blasters could not make the extra-player advantage count as chances were few and far between for them following the send-off.

Naveen was caught off his line again in the 84th minute but Rahul, Hooper and Lalthathanga Khawlhring couldn’t combine to the desired effect and Khawlhring’s cross, with which the move ended, narrowly went over the crossbar.    

With this draw, third-placed Gaurs extended their unbeaten run to six matches, while the Blasters secured a crucial point in their bid to get themselves off the bottom half of the league table.

Hero of the Match: Sandeep Singh

25-year-old Sandeep Singh displayed a solid defensive performance for Kerala Blasters. Playing at fullback, the defender made five clearances, one block and one successful tackle to help his team to a point against FC Goa.

Other Match Awards:

Club Award: Kerala Blasters FC and FC Goa

DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Facundo Pereyra (Kerala Blaster FC)

Watch the Match Highlights here: