ISL: Kerala, Northeast play out a dull draw

Kochi: Kerala Blasters have shot themselves in the foot after settling for a goalless draw with a 10-man NorthEast United FC in a penultimate round fixture of the Indian Super League here on Thursday.The Blasters have failed to score for three games in a row and remain fifth in the table on 16 points behind FC Pune City putting their chances of reaching the semi-finals in a doubt.

While the yellow brigade are banking at the mercy of other franchisees to crawl back into top four, the stalemate means NorthEast cannot make the playoffs as they stay in the seventh position on 14 points.NorthEast striker James Keene was sent off for poking substitute Michael Chopra in the 75th minute, but the advantage was not taken. Kerala foiled an array of chances and even survived a couple of late scares from the visitors’ counter attacks.

David James opted himself out and was replaced by Sandip Nandy.Four other changes were made to the side that lost to Chennaiyin on Sunday as the Blasters reverted to a midfield diamond, with Penn Orji at the tip.

Kerala showed more purpose in the second half and Pearson arrived to a long ball but rocketed his attempt. Chettri was unlucky a second time when his charging header hit the outside of the post from a corner.