Blasters, Jamshedpur play out drab draw
Paul Rachubka's heroics under the bar helped Kerala Blasters save face in a goalless draw against Jamshedpur FC at the Nehru Stadium here on Friday.
Rachubka, the heir to a distinctive line of English custodians that started with David James three years ago, was a force of nature amidst a bunch of mortals.
Only referee Ranjit Bakshi, who flashed five yellow cards, was busier than the keeper. Rachubka's brilliant diving save to deny Kervens Belfort late in the game earned him the admiration of Kerala's fanatic fans.
Belfort had missed the chance to shock a sea of yellow that had embraced him last season but he made his point to his former employers with a stellar performance.
Kerala and Jamshedpur have two points from as many outings and most noticeably, with blanks in the goals scored and conceded column.
Rene Meulensteen had packed more purpose into his style of play as he set out to get the better of his predecessor Steve Coppell.
Arata Izumi was retained while Milan Singh had been sacrificed for Jackichand’s inclusion as Meulensteen spread his team out in a 4- 1- 4- 1 formation with Berbatov playing unusually deeper, well detached from his strike partner Iain Hume.
Belfort's arrival at the expense of Sameehq Doutie was the visitor’s only change.