Kochi ∙ In the Indian Super League (ISL), Kerala Blasters continued their winning streak by equaling their neighbors Chennaiyin FC. Both teams scored one goal each in a thrilling game on the Chennai ground. Malaysian player Sahal Abdul Samad (23rd minute) scored for Kerala Blasters in the first half and Vincy Barato (48th minute) scored for Chennaiyin FC in the second half. After a five game winning streak, the Blasters are tied in the ISL.
With one draw, Kerala Blasters moved up to fourth place with 19 points in 10 games. Had they won, Blasters would have had a chance to finish third. Chennaiyin FC remain in seventh place with 14 points from 10 games. Blasters next game is against Odisha FC on 26th of this month.
∙ The way the goals came
Kerala Blasters Goal: The first goal was scored in the 23rd minute, adding excitement to the game which went on with shots and shots. The goal came from a counter-attack set up by Kerala Blasters at the tip of Chennaiyin FC’s advance. Ivan Kalyushny advanced with the ball from close to the center line and passed the ball to Sahl Abdel Samad who ran forward. Sahl, who chased down the through ball that split Chennaiyin’s defence, moved forward at the same speed and rolled the ball over goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar who came to block him and into the net. Score 1–0.
Goal by Chennaiyin FC: Chennaiyin FC went one-goal behind at half-time and scored an equalizer early in the second half. The goal was born out of the joint action of two former Kerala Blasters players. After the Chennaiyin players advanced towards the Kerala Blasters box, Vincey Barato, who entered the box, turned the ball over to Prasanth, who was lurking at the left corner of the post. Prashanth’s shot was blocked by the Blasters goalkeeper, but the rebound landed on Vinci’s feet. The player’s projectile was fired at close range at the Blaster pole. Score 1–1.
∙ First half with hits and setbacks
The first half of the match was a battle of the wits with both teams stepping up their offense. Blasters should have scored in the first minute of the match. Adrián Luna’s free kick from 40 meters went off the post but was saved by the Chennaiyin goalkeeper. In the 12th minute he also incredibly missed a golden opportunity for Chennaiyin’s Vincey Barato with only the goalkeeper in front. Chennai was deceived by the first firing attempt. Later, Blasters took the lead through Sahal in the 23rd minute.
In the 28th minute, Chennaiyin FC came close to scoring again. This time, the ball reached the Blasters box dangerously from the left wing and Nishukumar dived forward and struck it. From a corner kick, Chennaiyin player Julius Dukar’s shot hit Marko Leskovic’s body and went off. Wafa Hakhamaneshi’s header from a Chennai corner in the 35th minute flew just a few centimeters over the bar.
∙ The second half of the changes
The second half of the match started with Chennaiyin FC scoring an equalizing goal. At the beginning of the second half, Prashant replaced Rahim Ali and became the main link in the goal movement. Former Blasters player Vincey Barato also scored a goal. Former Blasters player Prashanth’s shot was saved by the keeper, but Vincy Barrato scored from the rebound.
After conceding an equaliser, Blasters and Chennai played hard for the winning goal, but goal was way off. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin made two more changes. El Khayati replaced Julius Duker and Jiteswar Singh replaced Edwin Vanspoul. Jessel Carneiro replaced Nishu Kumar, Sourav Mandal replaced Sahal and Giannu replaced Kalyushin in the Blasters lineup. In the 81st minute, Barrato was dropped and Chennaiyin manager Anirudh Thapa came on. In the 85th minute Karikari was replaced by Peter Sliskovic. Both teams pressed for the winning goal during the substitutions, but were unsuccessful.
English summary: Kerala Blasters FC vs Chennaiyin FC ISL 2022-23 Match, Live
