In the game between two winless sides, Kerala Blasters save their skinscoring the equalizer in injury time. The late drama saw Jeakson Singh convert the cross from Sahal Abdul Samad after a corner. Backary Kone scored an own goal in the 13th minute while trying to clear a cross from Mohammad Rafique This draw does not make any impact at the top of the table but East Bengal moves a place down in the table which will make life hard for them for the rest of the season.
The game can be named a story of both Goalkeepers. Both Debjit Majumder and Albino Gomes were crucial in keeping their respective teams in the game until the final whistle. Albino was crucial in preventing a second goal from Jacques Maghoma in the dying minutes of the game while Debjit pulled off a great reaction save from a shotJordan Murray.
East Bengal had the upper hand in the first half with the attackers Maghoma and Pilkington piercing the Kerala defense numerous times. But when it came to finishing they were lacking the quality. The same can be said about the Blaster attack which had Hooper, Facundo Pereira, and Rahul as the front three. Rahul who scored his first goal of the season against Bengaluru was however struggling to make an impact in this game.
Robbie Fowler packed the midfield with five players which was also the same tactics employedATKMB in their season opener against Blasters. Just like that tie, Kerala was unable to post enough shots on target. Even though East Bengal has 7 shoots on the Kerala post, Albino had other plans.
Blasters manager Kibu Vicuna was happy with his team’s performance which he thinks was “their best so far”. Meanwhile, Fowler openly expressed his disappointment with the team’s finishing even though they had numerous chances to get the first three points this season.