Margao (Goa), Feb 22 (IANS) FC Goa defeated Kerala Blasters FC 2-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. The Gaurs moved to 42 points to strengthen their hold on the second spot in the points table.

On a night when Iker Guarrotxena became the fifth Spaniard to score 20 goals in the ISL, the Gaurs also extended Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s wait for the ISL title – as a loss for the Gaurs on Saturday night would have automatically crowned the Mariners the League Winners. Now, the Jose Molina-coached side will seek a win in their next game against Odisha FC on Sunday to achieve that feat.

The Gaurs were on the offensive right from the beginning, pushing numbers forward and creating chances from both open plays and set-pieces. One such situation following a corner resulted in Mohammad Yasir hurling in a cross for Carl McHugh at the centre of the box. The defensive midfielder did well to get to the end of the delivery but headed it wayward down the right side of the post in the 20th minute.

Guarrotxena showed great smarts to unlock the Kerala Blasters FC backline with a through ball that breached the defence immediately for Dejan Drazic in the middle of the 18-yard box. The FC Goa No. 8 adjusted his position to try and direct the ball into the net as he had gotten past the entire defensive third of the visitors. But, Kamaljit Singh was reflexive enough to make the save in the bottom left corner in the 38th minute.

FC Goa stepped up on the plate in the second half, as they patiently built up an attack from the right flank by first circulating it back to their defence and then delivering Drazic a curling delivery at a distance on the left wing. Drazic thumped in a thunderous effort that looked set to rattle the target but Kamaljit did well to palm the ball out of danger. However, his collection was not tidy, resulting in Guarrotxena capitalising upon the rebound and slotting the ball into the bottom right corner through his right foot to break the deadlock in the 46th minute.

The Gaurs got a strong grip over the game thereafter as their entire attack flew fluidly from back to front thereafter. In the 73rd minute, Carl McHugh sprinted ahead from a pocket of space down the middle before passing the ball to Aakash Sangwan at the edge of the box. Sangwan carried forward the endeavour brilliantly, laying out a straightforward delivery for Guarrotxena deep inside the 18-yard zone. Guarrotxena abruptly squared up a pass for Yasir at very close range in the middle, who tapped the ball into the bottom right corner and doubled the lead for the Gaurs.

McHugh was playing a key role in setting up offensive moves tonight and one such expeditious pass by him that caught the Kerala Blasters FC defence off-guard landed at Brison Fernandes’ feet outside the box in the 79th minute. The attacker aimed for the top corner but the ball swung above the post eventually. The FC Goa defence held their lines together, maintaining possession, stretching the Kerala Blasters FC backline with their lateral passes, and seeing off the game comfortably to record a clean sheet and secure all three points.