ISL 3: Sissoko Salvages Pune a point against Blasters

by Chittu Shetty October 18, 2016

An uneven encounter, where both teams could have won it, A second half strike from Sissoko cancelled Blaster’s 3^rd minute goal after Cedric Hengbart‘s header gave the visitors an early lead.

Sissokos First ISL goal ensured Pune a point

Pune started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Dramane Traore operating as the lone striker Eduardo Ferreira’s absence meant pune lined up all Indian defensive line up. Kerala too started with a 4-2-3-1 shape with Rafi as the lone striker with Michael Chopra, Mohamed Rafique and Duckens Nazon behind the attack. The back four bore a similar look with Cedric Hengbart partnering Aaron Hughes at the heart of the defense.

An early corner for Blasters saw mehtab’s corner finding Azrack mahamat at the edge of the box, whose shot was blocked by pine bodies, the resulting ball fell to Hengbart who dispatched it to Pune net, to give blasters the lead. The 2 minute 12^th second goal meant, it was the fastest goal of season 3 of ISL.

Pune started slowly but came into the groove soon, in the 15th minute Tato from the edge of the box, volleyed the ball just wide. Minutes later, Pune missed again from a corner ball as Traore leaped high to head the ball wide off target.

Also Read: ISL 3: An Exciting affair ends with Dynamos and highlanders sharing the spoils

In the 23rd minute Traore missed the best chance of the half as he found himself with space in Kerala’s box but dragged the shot wide off target. The Blasters in the 37th minute came close to increasing the lead, when Rafique and Chopra linked up to feed the ball for Mehtab whose long range attempt whizzed past the target.

The home team went into the break trailing by one goal to Blasters, who looked solid in the defence.

The second half began with Kerala attack first as Mohammed Rafi’s shot from the edge of the box being blocked by Pune’s defense. Minutes later, Nandy come off his line for a crucial touch as the ball hit the onrushing Traore and go out of play.

The equaliser came in the 68^th minute, Lucca’s cross came out to Sissoko on the edge of the box, whose shot took a deflection off Hughes sneaking into the far corner.

Soon, Kerala were denied a lead again by Pune custodian Edel Bete, German’s shot was blocked by Gouramangi, looping over for Farukh, whose header was incredible saved by the Pune keeper.

The match ended with the two teams sharing a point each. Kerala stand fifth on the table, while Pune stay at seventh spot with four points.

FC Pune City 1 (Sissoko 68′) – 1 Kerala Blasters (Hengbart 3′)