Girona FC wins the Toyota Yaris La Liga World trophy by beating Kerala Blasters 5-0

Girona FC thrashed the Kerala Blasters in the final match of the Toyota Yaris La Liga World pre-season football tournament by 5-0 at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday

Spanish side walked away with the winner’s trophy after winning both its matches in the three-team event.

Girona opened its account only towards the end of the first session and then came up with a strong surge in the second half to finish with a 5-0 victory.

Girona FC was playing its second match here without a day’s break, virtually brought out its second string on Saturday, making nine changes to the team that started against Melbourne.

The Spanish side, which finished an impressive 10th in its La Liga debut last season, moved up repeatedly through the left flank with Carles Planas sending a steady stream of crosses into the box. But for a change, the Blasters defence stood strong, with captain Sandesh Jhingan and Frenchman Cyril Kali frequently warding off danger.

Melbourne had conceded three goals by the 25th minute against Girona on Friday and when the Blasters held its fort till the 40th minute, its fans roared in admiration.

But Girona gained the lead shortly after that. Pedro Porro, from the centre, sent a lovely pass to Eric Montes on the right and the latter raced into the box and scored from a difficult angle.

Two goals came in a three-minute spell in the second half, beginning in the 54th. Shortly after Pedro Porro had struck, Yhoan Many sent a lovely cross from the left. Jhingan desperately tried to put a foot out but could only watch agonisingly as Alex Granell rushed into the box and sent the ball home.

Girona added two more through Aday Benitez and Aleix Garcia, with the latter scoring from the spot. Just before the hour mark, the home team’s Slovenian star Matej Poplatnik was brought down right outside the box. Courage Pekuson’s impressive freekick offered a lot of hope as it curled in but it was smartly pushed back into play smartly by the Girona goalkeeper Gorka Morena.