ISL: Corominas hat-trick powers FC Goa past Bengaluru FC

A splendid hat-trick from Ferran Corominas powered FC Goa to a thrilling 4-3 win over Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda stadium, in a game that saw the latter being reduced down to 10 men after Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's sending off.

Ferran Corominas of FC Goa (centre) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal in its 4-3 win over Bengaluru FC on Thursday.

A valiant Bengaluru FC succumbed to its first defeat in the ISL, losing 3-4 to FC Goa in a breathless encounter at the Fatorda stadium here on Thursday. The visitor played for nearly an hour with 10 men, after goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was sent off, but Albert Roca's side battled back from 1-3 down to draw level in the second half.

It did not prove enough, though, as Ferran Corominas, who scored a hat-trick on the night, struck the final blow to lead Goa to victory.

MATCH CENTRE

This was an open, enthralling game between two enterprising sides. It was Goa that took the lead, after withstanding some early pressure from BFC; and it was a goal of the highest quality. Corominas received the ball on the inside-left some 40 yards from goal and dribbled into the area, weaving past both centre-backs before placing an accurate shot into the far corner.

Goa's advantage lasted all of five minutes. Erik Paartalu played a delightful dink over the defence to put Miku through on goal. The Venezuelan buried the ball through Laxmikant Kattimani's legs, and BFC was level. This was a game of swinging fortunes and Goa went ahead not long after, through Corominas again. A deep free-kick was headed across goal by Bruno Pinheiro and the former Espanyol striker drifted inside untroubled to find the net.

Minutes later, though, BFC was dealt a decisive blow. Gurpreet and Goa midfielder Manuel Lanzarote clashed in the box, and the BFC goalkeeper was sent off for chest-bumping his antagonist to the ground. The Spaniard went down theatrically, though, clutching his face when there was little need. Corominas duly scored from the spot, and that seemed the end of the contest.

BFC, however, seemed in no mood to give up. After the interval, a corner from Eduardo Garcia Martin was headed in by Paartalu (those two again). Three minutes later, BFC drew level through a stunning solo effort from Miku, who pounced on a defensive error at the back, then cut one way with the ball, cut another, left a pair of defenders on their bottoms, and gleefully chipped over the 'keeper.

Goa's man-advantage told, though, and Corominas soon scored his third to send a vociferous home crowd into a tizzy.