Kerala hold Delhi to open account

Action from the ISL Season 3 match between Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. The match ended goalless. (Photo: Arunchandra Bose)

Finally, Kerala Blasters opened their account in the Indian Super League but not in the manner they would’ve wished. A feisty third round affair against Delhi Dynamos that saw the hosts produce their first shot on target in 270 minutes of action thus far, ended goalless at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

With four points in their kitty, the Dynamos have moved into the third position in standings as they return home unbeaten on the road. Kerala remain above FC Goa, in the seventh place.

Both sides had made three changes each and for the hosts, out-of-form striker Michael Chopra managed to complete his first full match in over a year and incidentally, as the man who attempted their only shot on target.

With their devoted supporters refusing to give up despite a disastrous start to the season, Kerala began playing in a high tempo and Antonio German, reinstated on the left wing, flung in more crosses inside the first 10 minutes than in the two matches combined. Chopra, playing behind lone-forward Duckens Nazon, was desperate to break his ISL duck but looked rusty as he flashed over.

The urgency to press every loose ball was received with rapturous responses from the crowd. A hopeful dink from midfield left Mohammed Rafique wishing had he been a couple of inches taller as it bounced over him into Antonio Doblas’s custody. Kerala full-backs Josu and Pratik Chaudhury started on the half-way line and it helped them regain possession instantly. The latter was uncharacteristically involved in a one-two, but Doblas gathered before the Mumbai-based defender could attack.

Delhi got back in the groove and almost had the home support back on their seats, but Kean Lewis misplaced his intended through ball in a three versus two situation. Florent Malouda, had a lesson for the young Mumbai winger shortly afterwards, when he found Marcelo Pereira from a similar position, but the Brazilian’s low drive was parried by Sandip Nandy, who had replaced Graham Stack for his first start.

Josu found Chopra with a wicked ball that glided across the pitch and the Englishman’s first touch took him through on target. But the former Newcastle United striker was denied his first ISL goal by Doblas’s timely spread.