ISL 3: Javi lara’s second half strikes sinks Blasters, Dynamos to face Chennaiyin in their first home game

by Chittu Shetty October 6, 2016

Blasters poor form continues as they once again failed to register a single shot on goal while Javi Lara’s second half deflected goal was enough for the away side to take all 3 points

Pic Courtesy: ISL

For a team that has seven forwards in the squad, failure in registering even single shot on goal should be a glaring concern for the team. In front of a 50000 strong home support KBFC failed to make any credible impact as Atletico de Kolkata went on to a register their first win of the campaign, Courtesy of a scrappy goal from Javi Lara.

KBFC coach decided to bring in changes as 6 players were replaced to the one that lost to NEUFC, bringing in Rafi, Pratik, Farook, Josu, El hadji and Ducken Nazon, while on the other hand ATK made just two changes Prabir das and Jewel Raja replacing Bikramjit and Lalthlamuana, with Hume and Postiga leading the attack.

The first chance came to the away side, when Hume’s cut after a good run at the right met Postiga, whose shot was deflected away by pratik. Blasters responded by a searching cross by pratik in to the kerala defence, however Nazon sent the ball over the bar for free kick. Both teams seemed to play long balls in search of goal. In the 17 minute, Postiga was replaced by Belencoso as the Portuguese player seemed to have in trouble in his ribs.

In the 24^th minute, Doutie once again sent in a dangerous cross, but the ball evaded everyone including a diving keeper. In the 26^th minute blasters keeper stack parried a shot by Doutie the resulting follow up shot from javi was blocked again. While ATK were in control of the game, Blasters were threatening on the counter attack, with German’s shot missing couple of inches over the bar. Both teams went in to break with score 0-0.

In the second half, Balancoso missed a chance early in the 49^th minute, when his header went wide, But in the 53^rd minute, Javi lara’s low shot on goal took a wicked deflection of Jhingan’s thigh as the ball went into the net, silencing the home crowd.

With a goal down, KBFC quickly ringed in substitute bringing in another outfield foreign player by replacing stack with Nandy and Farook with Belfort, Chopra came in for Nazon. But despite the changes blasters were finding it difficult to create chances with only german lokking to threaten the opponent.

ATK were given at scare at the closing period, when Belfort inside the box seemingly fell under Ralte’s challenge But the referee rightly deemed it as a dive and booked the Haitian, much to the disbelieve of the crowd. ATK held on to the slender one goal at the end, as blasters failed to get a goal in the dying minutes.

Kerala Blasters FC 0 – 1 Atletico de Kolkata (Javi lara 53’)

Also Read: BRICS U-17 Cup: 10 man Russia edge past a resilient Indian team, Brazil breeze past China

Delhi to lock horns with Chennaiyin

Malouda will be crucial for DDFC this Season

Delhi Dynamos will play their first game of the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) when take field against reigning champions Chennaiyin FC.

Coming from a long and eventful Pre- Seasons, DDFC will be raring to go for their opening game. Former Real Madrid centre-back Ruben and Anas Edathodika will be the two central defenders while 19-year-old Chinglensana Singh and Souvik Chakrabarti complete the defensive line up.

The midfield three shall see Kean Lewis, Milan Singh and former Chennaiyin FC midfielder Bruno Pelissari. Marcelinho, Richard Gadze and Malouda will shoulder the attacking duties.

Chennaiyin on the other could line up same team, Dhanachandra Singh’s injury could force Nallapan Mohanraj being handed another start despite his below par performance in the away game, Mehrajuddin Wadoo will be the right-back with Bernard Mendy and marquee John Arne Riise as the two centre-backs. Dwayne Kerr will start as the keeper; Hans Mulder Jayesh Rane and Thoi Singh, could partner in the midfield, while Raphael Augusto could be placed behind the strikers position. Jeje and Succi will be sharing the attacking duties.

It will be intriguing affair, as both teams will lokk for 3 points. While DD would like to start off the campaign with a Victory at home, Chennai would be looking to make amends at missing an opportunity at Kolkata.

Kick Off: 7PM IST