Chennaiyin FC’s Elano Blumer (top) celebrates after scoring against Kerela Blasters in theIr ISL match in Kochi on Saturday. The match ended 1-1. — ARUNCHANDRA BOSE
Chennaiyin FC’s Elano Blumer (top) celebrates after scoring against Kerela Blasters in theIr ISL match in Kochi on Saturday. The match ended 1-1. — ARUNCHANDRA BOSE
Josu missed a penalty and Bruno Perone was sent off as Kerala Blasters resumed life after Peter Taylor with an intriguing 1-1 draw with Chennaiyin FC in Kochi on Saturday.
Elano Blumer gave Chennaiyin the lead on 34 minutes from a penalty and Chris Dagnall equalised soon after restart. But a dramatic set of events denied caretaker manager Trevor Morgan a win in his first game in charge.
It was Kerala’s first point in five games and should’ve been three had Josu not fumbled his spot-kick on 51 minutes. Morgan abandoned Taylor’s trying 3-5-2 formation for a solid 4-3-1-2. The change gave Kerala the edge as they hit the accelerator straightaway.
Chennaiyin were awarded a dubious penalty against the run of play. It was a soft decision against Jhingan for pulling down Mendoza as both vied for a cross from Elano. The Brazilian calmly scored after sending Bywater left, the wrong way.
Kerala made a thunderous start after the break and Dagnall equalised inside a minute. The Englishman raced forward to power a header in from Saumik’s cross.
Mumbai out to extend streak On a high after registering a hat-trick of wins, Mumbai City FC will be keen to carry the momentum forward and add one more at DY Patil Stadium here on Saturday as they go into a fifth game on the trot at home, against Atletico de Kolkata.
Mumbai are on 10 points from six games and would like to boost that before meeting Delhi Dynamos in an away fixture. Sunil Chhetri has scored goals while Sony Norde has created brilliant chances from the wings. Subash Singh has been giving nightmares to the opposition. The midfield has been doing a perfect role and the defence has been compact.
Chhetri has scored six goals including a hat-trick here in the previous game against NorthEast United FC. He is enjoying playing in the middle from the second game and he has been very effective.
