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ISL 2020-21: Most penalty saves by a goalkeeper so far
While nothing gives a striker more joy than seeing the ball in the back of the net, an acrobatic penalty save almost always elicits a similar response from goalkeepers. There have been only six such instances in this season of the Indian Super League (ISL), with 17 other penalties resulting in goals. Curiously, one name features in four out of those six occasions and that happens to be the Kerala Blasters’ custodian Albino Gomes. The 26-year-old from Goa has been one of the few consistent performers for the Tuskers and has kept them in games with some outstanding saves. Here, we take a look at how each of those instances transpired in a season where penalties have been on abundant offer.
Matchday 2: Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United
NorthEast won a 65th minute penalty after a shirt-pull on Lalengmawia Fanai by Jessel Carneiro with the former waiting to head a cross in towards goal. However, Kwesi Appiah blasted it over the horizontal bar with Albino Gomes surely thankful for the striker’s profligacy. The match ended as an exciting 2-2 draw in which Idrissa Sylla equalized in the 90th minute with a fantastic finish.
Matchday 3 - Chennaiyin FC vs Kerala Blasters
The Marina Machans were awarded a 74th minute penalty after a clumsy foul on Rafael Crivellaro by Sergio Cidoncha. Jakub Sylvestr stepped up to take it but Albino Gomes dived to his left to keep it out. A brilliant save that kept the score at 0-0, the same way that it ended on the night.
https://twitter.com/IndSuperLeague/status/1347067945671823361
Matchday 6 - Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters
The Blues won a 47th minute penalty following Bakary Kone’s mistimed tackle on Kristian Opseth. Chhetri went for a slow, measured run-up and a Panenka kick but Albino was once again up for it. He anticipated his intention and made a comfortable save. However, Bengaluru went on to win the match 4-2 quite comfortably.
Matchday 9 - Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters
A strong Mumbai City side had already converted a 2nd minute penalty in this match and were leading 2-0 when in the 71st minute, they were offered another crack at Gomes’ goal. Sandeep Singh had brought down Hugo Boumous, but it was a dubious decision considering the fact that he had got most of the ball. Boumous stepped up to take it himself and his low drive to Albino Gomes’ right was saved by the goalkeeper with great agility.
Other instances of a penalty being saved this season
Matchday 6 - Hyderabad FC vs SC East Bengal
45th minute penalty for Hyderabad after Sehnaj Singh hacked Mohammed Yasir down inside the box. Aridane Santana gave Debjit Majumder the eyes but the goalkeeper did well to dive to his right and keep a powerful shot out. Hyderabad won 3-2 in the end with the help of an incredible second half blitzkrieg.
Matchday 7 - NorthEast United vs Jamshedpur FC
64th minute penalty for the Highlanders after Stephen Eze pulled back Benjamin Lambot inside the box. Idrissa Sylla placed his shot in the corner but TP Rehenesh managed to get to the ball and keep it out on his left. Jamshedpur ended up winning by a narrow 1-0 margin.
