A late first-half goal by Boris Singh gave FC Goa a narrow 1-0 victory over Kerala Blasters in a closely contested Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Thursday.
The decisive moment came in the 40th minute when the 24-year-old winger from Imphal capitalized on a well-placed pass from Sahil Tavora.
Positioned on the edge of the box, Boris unleashed a tricky shot that caught Kerala Blasters’ goalkeeper Sachin Suresh off guard. Sachin, seemingly anticipating a cross, misjudged the attempt, and his deflection sent the ball into the net.
Boris, a constant menace on the right flank, showed his attacking prowess throughout the first half, and his persistence ultimately paid off with the match-winning strike.
Kerala Blasters entered the match on the back of a convincing 3-0 win over Chennaiyin FC but struggled to replicate that form against a disciplined FC Goa side. The hosts started brightly, with K.P. Rahul delivering an early cross to Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui, whose effort went over the bar.
Noah, along with Adrian Luna and Naocha Singh, frequently troubled the Goa defence, particularly with their aggressive runs down the left flank. However, despite creating multiple opportunities, the Blasters were unable to find the back of the net.
FC Goa, on the other hand, maintained composure and moved the ball effectively. Midway through the first half, Spanish playmaker Iker Guarrotxena came close to breaking the deadlock, but his shot struck the post. Goa’s perseverance was eventually rewarded when Boris Singh scored in the dying minutes of the first half.
The second half saw Kerala Blasters pushing hard for an equalizer, launching a series of attacks in the closing stages. Milos Drincic and Adrian Luna led the charge, but Goa’s defence, marshaled by an organized backline, stood firm. Goa’s goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh also played a crucial role, making decisive saves to maintain the clean sheet.
The win propels FC Goa further up the ISL standings as they continue their strong campaign. For Kerala Blasters, the defeat serves as a reminder of the importance of converting chances, especially after an impressive performance in their previous match.
Result: Kerala Blasters 0 lost to FC Goa 1 (Boris Singh 40’).
