Goa: A match with high drama and so far the best match of Indian Super League season 7. Four goals scored, two from each side and points being shared between Kerala Blasters and NorthEast United FC after 90 minutes. Sergio Chidoncha and Gray Hooper were the scorers for Blasters and for the Highlanders it was Kwesi Appiah and Idrissa Sylla.
The match started with a promise as Kerala Blasters were looking for their first point in the Hero Indian Super League and for North-East it was to go at to the top of the league. In the fifth minute of the match Blasters captain, Cido opened the scoring for his side from a Seityasen Singh free-kick. The lead was not that solid as the Highlanders were attacking for the equilizer.
But against the run of play Blasters got a penalty at the 45th-minute mark of the match and Gray Hooper slotted his first goal for his new club from the spot. Kerala looked settled at the end of the first half and was looking likely to win the battle. In the second half, NorthEast United FC was pressing from the first minute and that helped them to score one at the 51st-minute mark of the match.
Appiah tapped in from two yards. In the 65th minute, North East was awarded a penalty and Appiah missed the golden opportunity to equalise. When everyone thought that the Blasters have secured their first victory, in came a twist. The twist was from Highlander’s Idrissa Sylla at the 90th-minute mark and thus the match ended two-all. This was the most entertaining match of this year’s ISL till now.
North East United FC looked sharp from the first minute. The goals they have conceded were from the set-piece and a penalty. They didn’t allow Kerala to play free football. Whereas the Highlanders looked strong while attacking and could have won the game if Appiah scored the penalty which he eventually missed. No doubt the Highlanders can be a dark horse of this year’s ISL and we can hope for more entertaining football from them in upcoming matches.
Kerala Blasters FC still looks sluggish while going forward. The team has gone through a total change coming to the ISL this season and it seems like the team needs time to settle and play as a squad. Kibu Vicuna has got some real talents on his side and he has been trying to improvise with that, but first two matches gave a frustrating result for the former I-League Champion coach. We can hope that his side can come back as he has a knack of starting late and finishing with a winners medal.
