ISL 3: Vineeth’s strike takes Blasters to second in the table

by Chittu Shetty December 5, 2016

Vineeth’s strike propels Blasters to second in the table confirming play-off spot as NEUFC were left to rue their mid-season losing streak for missing out

CK Vineeth goal takes Kerala Blasters past Delhi Dynamos and Atletico de Kolkata to finish second in the third edition of the Indian Super League as NEUFC bowed out of competition with the loss in the final game

Kerala Blasters made 3 changes to the team that drew at Kolkata with suspended Mehtab Hossain and injured Josu Currais along with Elhadji Ndoye being replaced by Rino Anto, Duckens Nazon and Azrack Mahamat.

For Northeast, Nico Velez was replaced with Wellington Priori at the last moment; Velez had gone off injured in the previous match.

The game started with Blasters getting any early chance, minutes after the kick-off, Duckens Nazon did extremely well to win an almost lost chase outmuscling Mailson, before racing into the area only to see his effort to find the far corner being thwarted by Rehenesh.

The game slowed down in midfield for a bit as both teams refrained to put men forward and concede on counter-attack. However, the visitors were almost gifted an opportunity in the 11th minute when Hughes hesitated to clear the ball and was almost robbed by Seityasen before Hengbart came to the rescue.

Although Kerala looked good with linkup plays, the visitors had better chances through Seityasen, whose attempt from range was saved by Stack on a second attempt.

NorthEast grew into the confidence and began dominating possession although failing to convert chances. Rino Anto looked out of sorts against the pace of Seityasen. At the last few moments of first half, Yusa brought down a long pass well for Seityasen on the edge of the box but the winger’s effort went wide, as both sides entered the tunnel without breaking the deadlock.

Also Read: ISL 3: Mumbai finish on top after draw against Delhi

Second half began with NorthEast having the first chance on goal when Alfaro did well to get into the box and the ball fell to Seityasen, who blasted it over.

In the 57^th minute, Yusa slipped a through ball for Alfaro, the Uruguayan did well to wriggle free from his marker but Stack was alert enough to avoid the danger. Few moments later, Alfaro had another chance, but his deflected shot was parried away by Stack.

With visitors gaining the foothold, in the 66^th minute, against the run of play Blasters took the lead. Cedric Hengbart found Vineeth down the left wing, who cut in to his right foot and stroked a low shot into the far corner past Rehenesh to make it 1-0 and send the crowd in to ruptures.

The Highlanders responded in the 68th minute, Alfaro run into the box but was smartly tackled by Hengbart conceding a corner; however Mailson Alves headed over from close range, as the visitors missed the chance.

Kerala looked comfortable on counters; Belfort did well to link up with Nazon before his shot was tipped over by Rehenesh. The home side had a chance to finish the game in the 75^th minute after Belfort foxed Reagan Singh down the left before passing it for an onrushing German whose first-time shot went straight at Rehenesh.

In the 84th minute when Alfaro tried his luck from a long range but was agonizingly denied by the post with Stack stuck on his footing. At the other end confusion ensued when German had put the ball into the box after a long goal kick from Stack but the goal was disallowed by the referee, as he was in an offside position despite the linesman not raising the flag.

Soon Rehenesh acrobatically tipped Rafi’s glancing header off a Vineeth cross onto the crossbar to deny blasters their second. The game ended without much action with the ball after that although Romaric seemed hell bent on giving his piece of mind to the referee with players from either side trying to calm him down.

Kerala are set to take on Delhi Dynamos on 11th December with the first leg to be played in Delhi before the return fixture at Kochi on 14th December.

Kerala Blasters FC 1 (CK Vineeth 66’) – 0 NorthEast United FC