Kerala Blasters FC thrashed Chennai FC 3-0 in ISL (Indian Super League) football. With this, the Yellow Jackets activated their play-off chances. The Blasters moved up to fourth on the points table with a win, but in the following match Mumbai City FC beat FC Goa 2-0. With that, Mumbai returned to the fourth position and Kerala Blazers dropped back to the fifth position. With this, the Blazers x Mumbai match on Wednesday has reached the ‘quarter final’ level for the semi-ticket.
Edited By Gokul S | Samayam Malayalam | Updated:
Film songs are often played on the radio with the introduction ‘As requested by the audience’. Similarly, Kerala Blasters got a victory demanded by the fans. Indian Super League (ISL) football was against Chennai FC in their 18th league match of the 2021 – 2022 season. You can tell by looking at the scoreboard that it is a repeat of the first quarter. This is because the Blasters beat Chennai 3-0 in the first quarter and won the second quarter by the same goal difference. A win that activated the Yellows’ playoff chances. Jorge Pereira Diaz (52nd and 55th minute) doubled the lead with a three-minute double to give the Hornets the lead. Adrian Luna scored Chennai’s last-minute free kick with a free kick in the 90th minute. But the game does not end there. The twist is yet to come.
Mumbai x Blasters House Quarter
Mumbai City FC beat FC Goa 2-0 in the ensuing match as the Blasters advanced to fourth place in the points table with a win over Chennai FC. With that win, Mumbai returned to fourth place and Kerala Blazers slipped back to fifth. With this, the Blazers’ Mumbai match on Wednesday, March 2 has reached the quarter-finals for the semi-ticket. Mumbai have 31 points from 18 matches. 30 points for Kerala Blasters. In other words, the team that wins the Mumbai x Blasters match has a semi-probability. If there is a draw then the semi-final line-up will depend on the outcome of the final match in the league.
The Blasters’ last league match is on March 6 against FC Goa at their home ground. Mumbai’s last match will be against league toppers Hyderabad FC on the day before (March 5). In the current format, Mumbai may not be able to beat Hyderabad. If so, the Blasters will only have a short distance to the semis if they beat Mumbai on March 2.
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Diaz’s solution
George Perera Diaz’s double against Chennai can also be described as a solution. This is because in the match against ATK Mohan Bagan, Dias, who was violent in the dugout, was shown a red card and sent off against Hyderabad. When he returned, he made amends for that red card with a double. Dias missed two open chances in the first half of the match against Chennai and the second half goal came in the second half. Dias lost in the 8th and 37th minutes.
Super Sanjeev
The hero of the match was Sanjeev Stalin, the wingback against Chennai. Sanjeev’s attack on the left wing upset Chennai’s rhythm. George Pereira Dias was unable to capitalize on Sanjeev Stalin’s brilliant cross in the 8th minute. Dias’ header bounced out. Sanjeev was also involved in Dias’ second goal in the 55th minute. Sanjeev received a pass from Alvaro Vazquez and the shot bounced off the crossbar. The rebound ball was diverted accurately by Dias.
Ruiva Hormipam, who was rested due to a nose injury, was back in the starting XI for the match. Hormi also controlled the game with precise interventions. Hormi played wearing a mask.
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Vazquez in passing, Sahal
Ivan Vukomanovic replaced Blazers with Vince Barreto, who did not include Sahal Abdul Samad in the starting XI. Vince’s excessive fouls forced Vukomanovic to drop Sahal early in the second half. Although he did not score against Chennai FC, some passes by Alvaro Vazquez and Sahal Abdul Samad were classy. Sanjeev Stalin’s goal in the 55th minute and Dias’ knock in the 37th minute were the classics of Vazquez’s passing. In the 83rd minute, Sahal Abdul Samad turned the ball over to Chencho through a back heel pass inside the box, one of the worst moments of the match.
The intellect that sublimated Sahal
Not to mention the ingenuity of Ivan Vukomanovic, who decided to substitute Sahal against Chennai FC. As the final minutes drew to a close, Sahal’s presence in the second half was a ‘U-turn’ from where Blasters fans thought the match would have ended sooner. The Blasters’ pressing was strong when Sahal replaced Vince. It is noteworthy that it was the strategic passing of the Vazquez – Sahal – Luna trio that set the second half apart from the first half.
The Blasters played 12 games at the Tilak Stadium in Vasco during the 2021 – 2022 season. Seven of the eight wins so far this season have been in Tilak. The Blasters have lost only once in Tilak. The fact that Tilak is also in the quarter-final match against Mumbai also brightens the hopes of Blasters fans.