(Football news) Having already qualified for the semi-finals of the Indian Super League just 24 hours prior to this fixture, Kerala Blasters played an entertaining 4-4 draw against FC Goa at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Sunday. A hat-trick from Airam Cabrera (49', 63' Pen., 82') and a goal from Aibanbha Dohling (79') ensured that the Gaurs received a point from the match while a brace from Jorge Pereyra Diaz (10', 25' Pen.) and goals from Vincy Barreto (88') and Alvaro Vazquez (90') ensured that the Kerala Blasters didn’t lose the fixture.

The result means that FC Goa finished their Indian Super League campaign in 9th place with 19 points whereas Kerala Blasters finished 4th with 34 points and will face either one of Jamshedpur FC or ATK Mohun Bagan. Having scored a goal mid-week, Sahal Abdul Samad provided the assist for the first goal of the match after intercepting the ball and providing a timed cross to Diaz who scored the opening goal. Anwar Ali was at fault for the second goal as well, giving the ball easily to Chencho who charged towards the goalkeeper and was fouled inside the box, conceding a penalty. Diaz scored his second of the evening by sending Tiwari the wrong way in the 25th minute, thereby scoring his eighth goal of the season and fourth in the last three games.

It was quite a one sided affair in the first half as FC Goa failed to manage any shots on target and only had a quarter of possession which prompted Derrick Pereira to make three changes that turned the tide in their favour. Edu Bedia's freekick was deflected by Ivan Gonzalez into space and Cabrera was there to capitalise on the opportunity, thereby reducing the deficit by half. Past the hour mark, Givson gave away a penalty by bringing down Makan Winkle Chothe in the box and Cabrera scored his second of the evening to level the score while Diaz regretted missing a golden opportunity just minutes ago at the other end of the park. 

FC Goa’s momentum paid dividends as Dohling gave the side a 3-2 advantage in the 79th minute. The defender was unmarked and his angled shot went beyond Prabhsukhan Gill and into the back of the net. Devendra Murgaonkar provided an assist to Cabrera who scored his first hat-trick in the Indian Super League. In the latter stages of the match, Barreto and Vazquez were introduced from the bench and both players got on the scoresheet before the final whistle, resulting in both the sides sharing a point. 

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