ISL 3: Vineeth’s late brace downs Chennaiyin

by Chittu Shetty November 13, 2016

After Mendy’s goal put Chennaiyin in front, Kadio struck in second half to level terms before Vineeth’s late brace lifted blasters in to the top four of league table.

CK Vineeth scored his third goal in two games

For second time in as many games Kerala Blasters won thanks to a late winner by CK Vineeth, as defending champions Chennaiyin FC succumbed to their second consecutive defeat after failing to outclass their Southern Indian rival.

In front of an expected huge crowd, who had decided to welcome Marco Materazzi with Zidane Masks, Kerala decided to make just one change, with fan favorite CK vineeth starting the game with Mohammed Rafi relegating to bench. For Chennaiyin FC, Eli Sabia and Riise started in defense while Jeje and Jayesh led the attack, Zakeer Mundampara and goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr were also drafted into the playing XI but it was Mendy who made the biggest surprise when he started at left midfield instead of his normal central defence position.

First half began with Chennaiyin dominating the game, Jeje having a shot on goal in the second minute itself. Raphael Augusto from outside the box on left too tried his luck but the ball took a deflection of Jhingan before going just wide of the far post.

In the 22^nd minute, Chennaiyin finally managed to break the shaky Kerala Defence when Mendy, like in previous encounter, went on a run down the left and took a shot but the ball deflected from Hengbert’s body, who was closing in, before going into the net, as the visitors took lead.

In the 27^th minute, Kerala were dealt a huge blow as forward Kervens Belfort went down clutching his groin, he was later stretchered off and replaced with Antonio German. The home side gradually came in to confidence but failed to get that final move as they went into the break trailing 0-1.

Also Read: ISL 3: Romeo stuns Northeast in Injury time

Steve Coppell replaced a disappointing Chopra with Kadio as Blasters came out of break looking to change the tide. In the 51^st minute, Rafi’s long cross to far post was headed straight to Kerr by Vineeth.

In the 53^rd minute, another questionable decision was in witness when German was brought down by Kerr only for the Referee to book German for diving instead of Kerr. At the hour mark, Vineeth came close but his shot was deflected by defender before going to Kerr.

In the 66^th minute Kerala were finally rewarded for their efforts when German on the left went on a brilliant run surging past Eli to cross it back for kadio to tap it in as the home crowd went into frenzy.

Soon Rino came in for Rafi and had an immediate effect when his dangerous cross almost found German before Kerr came off his line to punch the danger away.

In the 84^th minute, Kerala took a deserving lead when a cross from Josu was messed up by Kerr as the ball fell to Vineeth at far post. The Bengaluru striker acrobatically slotted the ball past the keeper as Kerala went 2-1 up.

Four minutes later, German’s through ball found Vineeth with lots of space on right as Kerr came off his line to close down the angle, Vineeth smartly took the shot from distance as the ball slid past the keeper to double the lead for home side.

The game ended with 3-1 score in favor of home side as another disappointing outing for Chennai meant they remained at seventh position while Kerala moved to joint second place with Mumbai.

Kerala Blasters 3 (Kadio 66’, Vineeth 85’, 89’) – 1 Chennaiyin FC (Mendy 22’)