ISL 5: Kerala Blasters extend winless run with 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur FC

Kerala Blasters extended their winless streak to one more match with the 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Tuesday.

This was Kerala’s sixth draw in 10 league matches. Jamshedpur drew seven in 11 and together both these teams have been involved in 11 of the 15 matches drawn this season. But while Jamshedpur has managed to eke out three wins and are currently fifth on the table, Kerala are winless in nine successive matches.

#KERJAM was a hard-fought battle with plenty of drama and action taking centre-stage, but proceedings ended level between @KeralaBlasters and @JamshedpurFC.

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— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) December 4, 2018

They began the season on a high, winning 0-2 away to ATK but has since then failed to win any other. After three defeats and two draws in their last five encounters, the Blasters are at the seventh position on nine points, 13 away from the top.

Kerala fell behind to Carlos Calvo’s penalty after Tim Cahill had been fouled inside the box but a minute later Seiminlen Doungel levelled the scores for his side.

The visitors started well but were dealt with an early blow when Soosairaj had to be replaced just 12 minutes into the encounter. The injury blow somewhat took a dent in Jamshedpur’s attacking prowess helping the Blasters ease into the match.

Their first real opportunity came in the 21st minute when Keziron Kizito created chaos in the Jamshedpur back-line with a surging run down the middle. He failed to take a shot but the loose ball from a block fell straight at Sahal Samad’s feet, whose first-time shot rattled the crossbar.

Jamshedpur on the other side nearly scored a minute later. With Kerala’s players advancing up on the counter, substitute Jerry Mawihmingthanga suddenly found himself through on goal after Malsawmzuala sent a mispass into his path. But Kerala goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh saved with his legs to keep the score limited to goalless.

But as fate would have it, Dheeraj saved one with his leg only to give away another. Calvo’s long ball for Tim Cahill was perfectly poised for the Australian legend to shoot on target but the goalkeeper pulled him down. And although the foul was committed outside the box, the referee pointed to the spot. Spaniard Calvo stood up and delivered to put his side ahead.

Almost nine minutes later Doungel restored parity by pouncing on a loose ball, which the Jamshedpur defence failed to clear. Sahal’s header from a corner was flicked towards goal by Slavisa Stojanovic that should have cleared easily but the centre back pair of Tiri and Bikash Jairu kept ball watching as Doungel ensured his side at least point.

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