Bhubaneswar: Spanish midfielder Iker Guarrotxena's hattrick powered FC Goa to barge into the quarterfinals of the Kalinga Super Cup, defeating Gokulam Kerala FC by 3-0 goals win. Iker dominated the show by nailing three goals in the 22nd, 35th and 71st minutes. With the hattrick Ikar now has 23 goals in 45 appearances for FC Goa, making him the third-highest goal scorer in the Club's history.
Having finished second in the ISL table this season, FC Goa entered the playoffs with high expectations but suffered a heartbreaking semi-final exit to Bengaluru FC, courtesy of a last-minute strike from Sunil Chhetri. Meanwhile, Gokulam Kerala came into the fixture on the back of an intense I-League campaign, where they were in the title race until the very end.
The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute when Dejan Drazic was fouled inside the box by Salam Ranjan Singh, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Guarrotxena confidently stepped up and sent Shibinraj Kunniyil the wrong way to give FC Goa the lead.
The second goal followed just 12 minutes later. Aakash Sangwan surged down the left flank and delivered a precise cross into the danger area, where Guarrotxena timed his run to perfection and slotted home with ease, doubling the advantage before the interval.
In the 71st minute, FC Goa put the result beyond doubt with a slick passing move that culminated in Guarrotxena receiving a well-placed ball in the box. With admirable composure, the Spaniard completed his hat-trick, calmly guiding the ball past the keeper to make it 3-0.
In the similar fashion, Punjab FC thrashed the host team Odisha FC by 3-0 goals and conformed their quarterfinal berth.
Asmir Suljic opened the account for PFC in the early 14th minutes of the game. Today the Odisha FC team seems to be in off colour. After the change of sides Norberto Vidal and Nihal Sudeesh contributed a goal each for the visitors team in the 69th and 90th minutes respectively and Punjab FC scripted a 3-0 victory.
