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  Sports   Football  16 Dec 2017  ISL 4: Kerala off the mark, Dynamos face Goa’s firepower

ISL 4: Kerala off the mark, Dynamos face Goa’s firepower

THE ASIAN AGE.
Published : Dec 16, 2017, 1:10 am IST
Updated : Dec 16, 2017, 4:12 pm IST

Goa are second on the points table and take the field after a 5-1 drubbing of Kerala Blasters.

Kerala Blasters’ C.K. Vineeth scores in their Indian Super League group match against NorthEast United at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. The Blasters won 1-0. (Photo: Arunchandra Bose)
 Kerala Blasters’ C.K. Vineeth scores in their Indian Super League group match against NorthEast United at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. The Blasters won 1-0. (Photo: Arunchandra Bose)

New Delhi: Delhi Dynamos face the tough task of halting a three-match losing run against FC Goa in the Indian Super League here on Saturday.

Goa are second on the points table and take the field after a 5-1 drubbing of Kerala Blasters.

A win by three or more goals at Nehru Stadium on Saturday will take them to the top ahead of Bengaluru FC. Goa’s three victories in four matches are in stark contrast to Delhi’s three defeats in as many outings this season.

Delhi won their first match away at Pune but have since lost to Bengaluru, NorthEast United and Jamshedpur while in each of their wins, Goa have scored at least thrice.

Goa’s two strikers, Ferran Corominas (seven goals) and Manuel Lanzarote (four), are in form. Corominas is the league’s top scorer and so far, have netted 11 of the team’s 13 goals.

But Sergio Lobera’s side haven’t managed to keep a clean sheet either, conceding at least two goals in three of their four games.

Delhi coach Miguel Angel Portugal not only has defensive problems to address, his team have also been short on goals, in all taking just 28 shots on goal in their four games, the fewest in the tournament.

“In the games so far, we have dominated the ball and did everything well but we know we are not scoring and the team is working on that,” Portugal said on Friday.

Kerala off the mark

C.K. Vineeth’s flying header on 24 minutes gave Kerala Blasters their first win, against a 10-man NorthEast United at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday.

But the 1-0 victory was aided by a T.P. Rehenesh sending off late in the first half for what appeared an innocuous challenge on Sifneos just outside the box. The decision that appeared harsh in real time killed off a creditable away performance by the visitors in Kochi.

Tags: fc goa, isl 4, bengaluru fc