ISL 2015: Reinaldo's hat-trick propels Goa into semis
Three easy goals from Reinaldo ensured an emphatic 5-1 win for FC Goa over Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. Goa became the first club to score five goals in an away game and the third team to book their place in the next round, after Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos.
The home side made the perfect start to the game when they took the lead in the 2nd minute. Pulga found Antonio German on the right wing and the English forward out-muscled Goa right back Debabrata Roy and went down the byline, before cutting it back for Pulga. The Spaniard made no mistake in finding the back of the net to provide Kerala with a lifeline in their quest for a place in the semis.
FC Goa replied immediately though, as Jofre equalized in the 12th minute. A cross from Pronay Halder from the right wing reached Reinaldo at the edge of the box. The Brazilian found Jofre with a great cushion pass, who lifted the ball over the keeper to restore parity in the game.
In the 28th minute, Goa took the lead for the first time in the game with Reinaldo scoring his fifth goal of the season. Mandar Rao Desai found Leo Moura outside the box, and the playmaker threaded the ball through for Reinaldo, who applied the finishing touches. Moura became the highest assist-provider in the league in the process, as Goa stamped their class on the match.
As the referee blew the whistle for half-time, Kerala Blasters midfielder Josu and Goa midfielder Jofre got involved in an altercation with the former receiving a red card for his effort. Jofre elbowed Josu and the Spaniard retaliated, and the referee had no option other than providing Josu with his marching orders.
Goa took advantage of their numerical superiority at the start of the second half when they doubled their lead in the 49th minute. Jofre picked out Mandar on the left wing, and the Indian winger's inch perfect cross was tapped-in by Reinaldo at the back post.
Reinaldo completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute. Jofre released Sabeeth with a delightful reverse pass down the right wing, and the Brazilian forward was once again at hand to turn in the Indian forward's low cross.
Mandar applied the icing on the cake by scoring Goa's fifth goal in the 63rd minute. Moura was once again the orchestrator behind this move as he set Mandar through on goal with a through ball, the winger raced through before beating Stephen Bywater at the near post with a low shot.
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