Iker Guarrotxena Shines as FC Goa Dominates Gokulam Kerala in Kalinga Super Cup
FC Goa Advances to Quarter-Finals with a Stellar Performance
Bhubaneswar: Iker Guarrotxena, the Spanish forward, delivered an outstanding performance as FC Goa secured a decisive 3-0 victory against Gokulam Kerala FC in the Kalinga Super Cup, advancing to the quarter-finals at Kalinga Stadium.
Guarrotxena showcased his skills by scoring a remarkable hat-trick, netting two goals in the first half and adding another in the second half, marking a strong start for the Gaurs in the tournament.
After finishing as runners-up in the ISL this season, FC Goa entered the playoffs with high hopes but faced a disappointing semi-final exit against Bengaluru FC, thanks to a last-minute goal from Sunil Chhetri.
On the other hand, Gokulam Kerala arrived at this match following a competitive I-League season, where they were in contention for the title until the final moments.
Despite expectations for a closely contested match, FC Goa quickly took control, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities, while Gokulam Kerala struggled to keep pace.
The first breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Dejan Drazic was fouled in the box by Salam Ranjan Singh, leading to a penalty. Guarrotxena confidently converted, sending Shibinraj Kunniyil the wrong way to open the scoring.
Just 12 minutes later, Aakash Sangwan made a powerful run down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross, allowing Guarrotxena to finish effortlessly and double the lead before halftime.
Gokulam Kerala showed more determination in the second half, creating chances and even hitting the crossbar, but their momentum was halted midway through the half.
In the 71st minute, FC Goa sealed the match with a well-executed passing sequence, culminating in Guarrotxena receiving a perfectly placed ball in the box. He displayed remarkable composure to complete his hat-trick, guiding the ball past the goalkeeper for a 3-0 lead.
From that point on, FC Goa's defense, expertly organized, ensured there were no mistakes, comfortably managing the remainder of the match to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.