Kerala vs Kolkata and Goa vs Pune. The fixtures produced mixed predictions as the League is becoming highly unpredictable. The teams who stood strong so far have started to shake while the underdogs are prancing and leaping in the standings.
Kerala Blasters FC (2) - Atletico de Kolkata (1)
Formation: 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1
Atletico are dethroned by Chennai from the top position while Kerala is on a winning spree with 4 continuous victories. Last time when the teams met, they settled for one point each ,but this time the results were unexpected. The game commenced with an early goal by the home team, Kerala. Iain Hume received a perfect pass from Gusmao and shot it straight through Roy's hands to provide his team with a 4th minute goal. This lead endowed the home team with great confidence as they pushed for more goals. Romey's clearance could have led to a home goal but went wide. Gurwinder ceased Jofre's run. Jofre seemed to be the only player urging his team to go forward. He created a handful of opportunities and succeeded to acquire a corner which his team mates failed to utilize. Fikru broke into a bicycle kick and missed by a fraction. David James! Pedro Gusmao, the man who provided the assist for the early goal, scored for the home team to add on to their outcome. Kerala was up by 2 goals before the half time. The other half started with Kolkata's Marquee player, Luis Garcia, entering the field. Fikru's eagerness was visible by his off side run. Kerala made a defensive error only to give Fikru an opportunity to score and get back in the game as he scored his fourth goal of the League. Gusmao had to be substituted because of an injury. The home team were persistent in creating telling chances, the closest being Godwin's strike. The game ended in Kerala's favour but we still have our doubts. Garcia's 90th minute strike could have been a side line goal, however, the referee was not convinced by it. 3 points for Kerala!
FC Goa (2) - FC Pune City (0)
Formation:4-2-3-1 and 4-2-3-1
When the teams met previously, Pune defeated Goa in their own background by scoring 2 goals while Goa couldn't open their account. The scoreboard reciprocated the previous tally only the winners were different. The first half, well, Andre Santos took the free kick and Romeo easily converted it into goal cum lead for the home team, Goa. Gregory's fault gifted the visitors a free kick just outside the box. This could have been Pune's golden chance to cancel Romeo's goal had Katsouranis' strike found the back of the net. Pune surely were keen to score but their final strikes were weak. Romeo was the home team's best man on the pitch. He was assisting, scoring, connecting and defending (just like Angel di Maria's first game for Manchester United!). Pune surely noticed it and Pennant decided to bring the Goan man down. Lenny's strikes were saved by Seda. The home team proceeded towards the dressing room with a lead. Second half and Goa again on strike. Gregory held Dudu. Abranches... What a presentation of skills by Pennant but this man killed all the efforts as he couldn't take advantage of the assist. More on target shots came from the home team. Katsouranis' bicycle kick hit the cross bar and even Cirillo hit the right pole. During the stoppage time, Miranda was brought down. This assassinated Pune's hope to look for an equalizer but brought joy to the Goan fans as Slepicka converted the free kick into another goal for the home team. Goa now holds the fourth position in the league.
Kerala Blasters and FC Goa both had a poor start in the tournament. Both the teams have raised their game and are now giving tough competition to the presumably stronger teams in the league. Goa's victory over Pune is a perfect example of sweet revenge.
Kerala Blasters FC (2) - Atletico de Kolkata (1)
Formation: 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1
Atletico are dethroned by Chennai from the top position while Kerala is on a winning spree with 4 continuous victories. Last time when the teams met, they settled for one point each ,but this time the results were unexpected. The game commenced with an early goal by the home team, Kerala. Iain Hume received a perfect pass from Gusmao and shot it straight through Roy's hands to provide his team with a 4th minute goal. This lead endowed the home team with great confidence as they pushed for more goals. Romey's clearance could have led to a home goal but went wide. Gurwinder ceased Jofre's run. Jofre seemed to be the only player urging his team to go forward. He created a handful of opportunities and succeeded to acquire a corner which his team mates failed to utilize. Fikru broke into a bicycle kick and missed by a fraction. David James! Pedro Gusmao, the man who provided the assist for the early goal, scored for the home team to add on to their outcome. Kerala was up by 2 goals before the half time. The other half started with Kolkata's Marquee player, Luis Garcia, entering the field. Fikru's eagerness was visible by his off side run. Kerala made a defensive error only to give Fikru an opportunity to score and get back in the game as he scored his fourth goal of the League. Gusmao had to be substituted because of an injury. The home team were persistent in creating telling chances, the closest being Godwin's strike. The game ended in Kerala's favour but we still have our doubts. Garcia's 90th minute strike could have been a side line goal, however, the referee was not convinced by it. 3 points for Kerala!
FC Goa (2) - FC Pune City (0)
Formation:4-2-3-1 and 4-2-3-1
When the teams met previously, Pune defeated Goa in their own background by scoring 2 goals while Goa couldn't open their account. The scoreboard reciprocated the previous tally only the winners were different. The first half, well, Andre Santos took the free kick and Romeo easily converted it into goal cum lead for the home team, Goa. Gregory's fault gifted the visitors a free kick just outside the box. This could have been Pune's golden chance to cancel Romeo's goal had Katsouranis' strike found the back of the net. Pune surely were keen to score but their final strikes were weak. Romeo was the home team's best man on the pitch. He was assisting, scoring, connecting and defending (just like Angel di Maria's first game for Manchester United!). Pune surely noticed it and Pennant decided to bring the Goan man down. Lenny's strikes were saved by Seda. The home team proceeded towards the dressing room with a lead. Second half and Goa again on strike. Gregory held Dudu. Abranches... What a presentation of skills by Pennant but this man killed all the efforts as he couldn't take advantage of the assist. More on target shots came from the home team. Katsouranis' bicycle kick hit the cross bar and even Cirillo hit the right pole. During the stoppage time, Miranda was brought down. This assassinated Pune's hope to look for an equalizer but brought joy to the Goan fans as Slepicka converted the free kick into another goal for the home team. Goa now holds the fourth position in the league.
Kerala Blasters and FC Goa both had a poor start in the tournament. Both the teams have raised their game and are now giving tough competition to the presumably stronger teams in the league. Goa's victory over Pune is a perfect example of sweet revenge.
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