Nascimento scripts Kochi's comeback win

KOCHI: Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes Nascimento made his Super League Kerala debut memorable by playing a stellar role in Forca Kochi's dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Thiruvananthapuram Kombans at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi, on Friday.
The visitors led at half-time with Marcos Wilder (40) putting Thiruvananthapuram ahead. But the tide turned in the second half as the team with the best defensive record in the league, Thiruvananthapuram, conceded twice in the space of 15 minutes.Nascimento provided the assist for the equaliser scored by KP Rahul (62), while the Brazilian himself found the net in the 76th minute to secure victory for his side.
The first half saw Kombans squander two golden opportunities to take the lead. In the 38th minute, Ganesan cut into the box from the left, attempting to find Wilder, who was in a good position to score. However, Wilder stumbled and failed to take a shot, allowing Kochi goalkeeper Michell Santos to collect the ball. Just a minute later, the visitors launched a similar attack from the right flank, with development player Muhammed Ashar delivering an excellent aerial cross aimed at Davi Kuhn. Unfortunately, Kuhn also failed to convert the chance despite being one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
But the Brazilian duo made amends by combining well to put Kombans ahead. The visitors earned a corner in the 40th minute, which Kuhn took and placed perfectly for Wilder. Wilder outjumped the Kochi defenders and headed the ball into the net with precision.
Forca Kochi found their equaliser 17 minutes into the second half through Rahul. Nascimento received the ball just outside the penalty box, dribbled past the Kombans' defenders, and cut the ball back to Rahul, who found space between Akhil and Ralte Lalhmangaisanga. Despite goalkeeper Michel Santos getting a touch on the ball, he couldn't prevent it from crossing the line.
Nascimento turned out to be the match-winner for the hosts 14 minutes later. After winning a free kick, the ball landed in front of Kochi's Nijo Gilbert, who delivered an aerial cross from the right, finding Nascimento. The Brazilian forward made no mistake, heading the ball past Kombans goalkeeper Michel Santos to secure a memorable victory for the home side.