Indian Super League 2017: Kerala Blasters draw again despite Mark Sifneos strike
Kochi: Kerala Blasters saw their demons in front of goal disappear through a Mark Sifneos goal but were forced into a third consecutive draw after Balwant Singh earned Mumbai City a crucial point at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday. Dutch striker Sifneos hammered home on 14 minutes, ending nearly 200 minutes of goal drought in Kochi but the home side were denied their first win as Mumbai found a 77th-minute equaliser through striker Balwant, who had pounced on an Everton Santos pull back to beat Paul Rachubka.
C.K. Vineeth was sent off late in the match, receiving a second yellow for a dive and Kerala finished their run of three home games unbeaten, but with just three points in the kitty. Iain Hume, who had two spells of 60 minutes each from the start that were uninspiring by his high standards had made way for the unassuming young striker from Amsterdam, who had showcased just about the right attitude in his substitute appearances to warrant a start. Yet there was no love lost and Hume eventually came on to a thunderous roar from the crowd as he replaced the goalscorer on 71 minutes.
The home side had started on the front foot and Vineeth had a spring in his steps. An early booking to Davinder, who had replaced an off-colour Raju Gaikwad, offered Vineeth enough freedom on the left flank but the Kerala winger was erratic with his shots. Kerala’s passing had a marked improvement, though Pekuson’s frequent giveaway was unmistakably irksome.
While the game developed along Kerala’s left, with Lalruatthara asserting his influence early on, the surprise came from the other side where Rino Anto had found a pocket. The former Bengaluru full-back gave a perfect cross that Sifneos guided past a wrong-footed Amrinder while Wadoo was guilty of leaving the striker alone. The goal had injected drive and urgency into Kerala’s attacks and Amrinder was forced into a smart save to deny Vineeth cutting on his right foot.
Emana had failed to connect with his strikers and Rafael Jorda’s tame directed his header tamely at Rachubka as the visitors searched for inspiration. If Kerala needed one it came wrapped in the big boots of Berbatov, who picked out Jackichand with a delightful ball that looped over the defence and into space. While the Indian winger touched it down well he skied the effort unceremoniously.
Meulensteen introduced Pritam Singh in place of Rino Anto at half-time and the Manipuri defender occupied Lalruatthara’s place on the left with the latter switching across. Shortly after Vineeth had let one fly Mumbai accelerated on a counter and Everton Santos’s effort ricochetted off the far post. Rachubka had got a crucial deflection on the Brazilian’s left footed shot before it shook the upright.
The crowd sighed after local boy Vineeth was shown the exit and the mood at the cauldron had sunk by full-time as if accepting the grim reality of two points lost, yet again. Earlier, Chennaiyin FC got the better of FC Pune City 1-0, courtesy captain Henrique Sereno to climb upto second, in Pune.
