ISL 2017-18: FC Goa’s hattrick hero Ferran Corominas confident of beating any team | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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ISL 2017-18: FC Goa’s hattrick hero Ferran Corominas confident of beating any team

New Delhi | ByHT Correspondent
Dec 12, 2017 06:05 PM IST

FC Goa’s hattrick hero Ferran Corominas believes that his side is capable of winning against any team in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18.

Two hattricks in successive matches is proof that Spanish striker Ferran Corominas is enjoying his new role as the lone striker for FC Goa in the 2017-18 Indian Super League.

FC Goa striker Ferran Corominas is the top scorer in the ISL 2017-18 till now.(ISL)
FC Goa striker Ferran Corominas is the top scorer in the ISL 2017-18 till now.(ISL)

The 34-year-old striker scored a hat-trick against Bengaluru FC on November 30 and then followed it up with the fastest hattrick in ISL history against Kerala Blasters as FC Goa cruised to an impressive 5-2 victory at Fatorda Stadium in Margao.

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Ferran Corominas is currently leading the goalscoring chart with seven goals to his credit and in the 360 minutes he has spent on the field, the striker has enjoyed an impressive 58 % goal conversion rate.

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“A large part of my career was spent by playing on the right or left wing, so it didn’t help me when it comes to scoring goals. But, the latest one with FC Goa is certainly a special one because it was the fastest and also helped the team win, which is very important,” said Corominas, better known as Coro, a product of Spanish side RCD Espanyol’s youth set up who has played for his country at the U17, U19 and U20 level.

Interestingly, prior to the double hattrick in ISL, Coro had just two hat-tricks in his professional career. The first was when he was with the Espanyol reserves and the next during his spell with Girona.

The match against Kerala Blasters was clearly a tale of two halves, as the visitors probably sensed they had a chance after being tied 2-2 but Coro turned the match on its head by scoring the fastest ISL hattrick, eclipsing the record of former Delhi Dynamos striker Marcelinho who had scored three goals, incidentally against FC Goa last season in 18 minutes.

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The Indian Super League, which is now in its fourth season, has witnessed 14 hat-tricks so far. Stiven Mendoza (2015), Iain Hume (2015) are the only two players who have scored double hat-trick in a season previously. Dudu have two hattrick to his name but in different seasons of 2015 and 2016. Only two Indians - Sunil Chhetri (2015) and Thonhkhosiem Haokip (2015) have managed to put their name in the hat-trick list so far.

Corominas admitted that he was able to complete his hat-trick in quick time because of some excellent passes from his teammates. Midfielders Ahmed Jahouh and Brandon Fernandes came up with terrific defence-splitting passes and then Manuel Lanzarote created another opening for the hat-trick.

The Spaniard also said it helps him that the team is coached by a compatriot, Sergio Lobera, while there are five other Spanish players in the team.

READ | FC Goa ride on Ferran Corominas hat-trick to sink Kerala Blasters in ISL

“Considering I don’t speak fluent English, it’s always good to have a coach and players who speak the same language as it allows me to communicate freely with them and understand them perfectly. The opportunity to play with players of this quality also makes things all the more easier,” he said.

FC Goa have scored 13 goals in just four games but have conceded nine goals - exposing the weakness in their defence.

“I think what we have showed so far is that we are capable of beating anyone in the league. What we have also seen is that if we drop our level a little bit, any team is capable of coming back. We must ensure we are at a hundred percent in every game. This is a very balanced league and we have to be at our best every time,” he said.

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