Alfaro scores a brace as NorthEast beat Goa

Alfaro put NorthEast ahead in the 20th minute through a howler by Goa goalkeeper Laxmikanth Kattimani. Alfaro pressed the keeper for the ball, who buckled under pressure and when he tried to pass the ball to his teammate the striker blocked the pass and deflected it into the goal. 

Goa could have equalised soon after when Mandar Rao Dessai made a mesmerising run on the left flank and sent a superb cut to Joffre. The midfielder blasted a first time shot towards goal but Subrata Paul made a brilliant save to deny a certain goal for the Goans. 

However, Alfaro put the contest beyond Goa by the hour mark when he blasted the ball through the keeper’s legs to find the back of the net. 

Result: NorthEast United FC 2 (Alfaro 20, 62) beat FC Goa 0

Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell has plenty of reasons to look forward to his team’s first home match against Atletico de Kolkata when they meet here on Wednesday. Kerala Blasters succumbed to the might of NorthEast United FC in the opening game and looked far from impressive. ATK are playing their first match away.