ISL: Kerala Blasters, Bengaluru seal playoff spots after Chennaiyin edge Goa

Kwame Karikari scored a brace as Chennaiyin FC defeated FC Goa 2-1 in the Indian Super League in Goa on Thursday.

Karikari opened the scoring in the 10th minute before the hosts equalised through Noah Wail Sadaoui early in the second half.

The Chennaiyin forward bagged his brace and the winner from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.

In the process, Chennaiyin have done a favour for their neighbours Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC, who have now sealed their playoff spots.

Action between FC Goa (orange) and Chennaiyin. Photo: Twitter/@IndSuperLeague

The top six in the table of 11 teams are guaranteed playoff spots. Kerala, with 31 points, were third in the standings while Bengaluru were fourth, also on 31 points, before the Goa-Chennaiyin match.

After Goa's defeat, Blasters and Bengaluru remain unmoved.

The Blasters have two matches remaining in the league phase and even if they were to lose both, Goa that is sixth in the table on 27 points and with one game left to play, will not be able to overtake them.

Bengaluru that also has 31 points is left with one more game in the league phase.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.