Kerala Blasters go winless ‘nine times’ in a row in ISL

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 29: Kerala Blasters continued its winless run in the Indian Super League (ISL) 201920 season as it was held to 1-1 draw by the NorthEast United FC Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi to make it nine in a row.

However, it was Blasters that scored first as Bartholomew Ogbeche slotted home a penalty on 43 minutes but NorthEast United equalized early into the second half (50th minute) through Asamoah Gyan.

After making his national team debut in March this year Sahal Abdul Samad and taking home the Emerging Player of the Season award his performances have nosedived since then since he has not

Kerala manager has been defiant about benching Sahal.

In a game lacking goal mouth action, Blasters was able to create only a handful of chances with Mario Arques at the heart of most of them. The midfielder was full of stamina and was vital in stitching an out of sorts Kerala midfield together. The Spaniard’s lofted ball over the NorthEast defence forced Subhasish Roy off his line as he clashed with Ogbeche resulting in a penalty for the host. The 27-year old came close to putting Kerala in the lead from a free kick in the second half which Subhasish did to keep out. While the others struggled with perfection, Arques completed 75 of his 80 passes.

Following its 3-0 loss to ATK in the previous game, NorthEast United was given a boost with captain Asamoah Gyan returning to the starting XI. However, the Ghanaian international was unable to inspire a below par NorthEast at Kochi where it has never won.

In the 20th minute, the striker had the goal at his mercy following a defensive lapse from Mohammed Rakip but blasted it over the crossbar while he was marginally offside when he slotted home a through ball from Redeem Tlang in the 36th minute.

There was no spark from the three-time World Cupper in the second half as he was unable to get into scoring positions after registering the penalty in the 50th minute. With the playoffs race heating up, NorthEast needs its talisman to step up in the upcoming matches.

NEUFC players celebrate their equalizer in the second half of their clash

against Kerala Blasters FC.