After securing back-to-back wins, the Blasters settled for a 0-0 draw against the Highlanders on home ground. Despite being reduced to 10 men early in the first half, the Blasters’ defensive resilience, led by goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, denied the Highlanders a decisive breakthrough in a match filled with drama and missed opportunities.
First Half: Both Teams Seeking a Lead
The match began with tensions high, as early as the second minute, setting the stage for a heated contest. Both teams had chances to score in the opening half, with Adrian Luna and Alaaeddine Ajaraie testing the opposing goalkeepers.
The match’s turning point occurred in the 30th minute when Aibanbha Dohling received a straight red card after a heated altercation with Ajaraie. This left the Blasters one man down, forcing them to adopt a more defensive strategy against the Highlanders.
Despite the pressure, goalkeeper Sachin Suresh performed admirably, making several crucial saves, including a key stop to deny Ajaraie’s powerful strike just before halftime. The Blasters’ defense remained resolute, effectively frustrating the Highlanders’ repeated attempts to take advantage of their numerical advantage.
Second Half: Defensive Resilience on Display
The second half saw NorthEast dominate possession and create a flurry of chances. Sachin Suresh once again came to Kerala’s rescue, denying Zabaco and Guillermo in quick succession.
Kerala’s defensive unit, led by Sachin and a committed backline, held strong from Highlanders making their move for a lead. Despite the relentless onslaught from NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters tried to find opportunities for counterattacks.
Luna’s free-kick in the 74th minute narrowly missed the target, offering a brief moment of hope for the home side. New signing Dušan Lagator made his debut in the 84th minute and adapted quickly to the team’s defensive needs under pressure.
The game concluded in a draw, with Kerala Blasters taking pride in their defensive performance to secure a point, even after playing with only ten players for more than an hour. This draw will boost the Blasters’ morale as they prepare for next week’s match against East Bengal FC at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Starting XI: Sachin Suresh (GK), Sandeep Singh, Adrian Luna (C), Noah Sadaoui, Kwame Peprah, Aibanba Dohling, Hormipam Ruivah, Vibin Mohanan, Freddy Lallawmawma, Milos Drincic, Korou Singh
Substitutions:
46’ Danish Farooq ➡ Vibin Mohanan
84’ Lalthanmawia Renthlei ➡ Freddy Lallawmawma
84’ Dušan Lagator ➡ Adrian Luna
90+1’ Jesús Jiménez ➡ Noah Sadaoui
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