Kerala Blasters got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over FC Pune City which propelled them to the third spot in the Indian Super League. It was the Tuskers' second last home game of the season and they put on a convincing performance to give them all three points. FC Pune City now have a very small chance to reach the knockout stages as their fate now rests on other team's results.
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Duckens Nazon opened the scoring for Kerala after a mistake from Dharmaraj Ravanan as he pounced on the loose ball and comfortably scored past the towering Edel Bete. Kerala Blasters' marquee player and captain, Aaron Hughes increased the deficit for the Stallions as he scored a header from point blank range. Anibal Zurdo scored yet another goal from a free kick as he scored a thunderous shot, which was only a consolation goal for Pune.
Let's take a look at the five talking points from the game between Kerala and Pune:
#1 Kerala Blasters have one foot in the knockout phase of ISL 3
No team had won four games on the trot at their home ground in ISL history but Kerala scripted a new feat with their win over FC Pune City. The Blasters have looked almost invincible at home for which their loyal supporters have to take the lion’s share of the credit. Right from the first whistle, Kerala put their foot on the gas and Coppell's men created chance after chance and were a constant threat for the Pune defence.
Kerala are now third on the table with two games to go; an away game against Atletico De Kolkata and a home encounter against North East United awaits the Blasters.
Kerala need just one win from their remaining two games to secure a top four spot, which looked highly unlikely at one point of the season.
#2 FC Pune City lacked intent
The Stallions had played just three days ago in an away match at Guwahati and the long travel and tight schedule meant that Pune were the second favourites against Kerala. Pune City coach Antonio Habas made just three changes to his starting eleven as Gustavo Oberman came in for Momar Ndoye and the duo of Pitu and Rahul Bheke also were given a start against the Blasters.
The home side attacked them from the word go as Pune struggled to contain a brilliant Kerala strikeforce.
The scoreline does not suggest the true picture as Pune were lucky to concede just two against an inspired Kerala side, who were waiting eagerly to avenge their previous game's 5-0 drubbing at the hands of table-toppers Mumbai City FC.
The Pune City players looked lethargic at times as Kerala had acres of space when they attacked. Habas' men looked very jaded, in a game where they needed to win to progress to their first ever ISL semi-finals.
#3 Kerala Blasters' attacking unit clicking in the business end of the ISL
The Tuskers were struggling in the opening few games in the attacking third as they badly missed CK Vineeth in attack. Since his arrival, Kerala have looked an altogether different side, and along with Mumbai and Delhi, the Blasters are establishing themselves as an exciting side to watch in attack.
Since the past few games and tonight against Pune, the likes of Vineeth, Belfort and Rafi created problems for the opposition defence along with the goalscorer Duckens Nazon. Now with the season coming to its business end, with three knockout stages spot still up for grabs, Kerala Blasters will be hoping for their entertaining attackers to continue their good work.
#4 FC Pune City's defence an issue for Antonio Habas
The Stallions have adopted an all Indian back line a number of times this season but that move backfired tonight as the entire back line looked shaky for the 90 minutes. The first goal was due to a mistake from Dharmaraj Ravanan and in the second goal, Pune completely shut off after an initial clearance from a corner.
When Vineeth put the ball again into the box, Hughes was left all alone to head it home.
Habas will have to bring in experienced heads in defence or employ a different tactic to make some progress in this year’s ISL.
#5 Steve Coppell's changes worked wonders for the Blasters
Coppell decided to opt for a number of changes after his side's annihilation at the hands of Mumbai in the last game. Captain Aaron Hughes made a comeback along with the likes of star forward Kervens Belfort, Duckens Nazon and Mohammed Rafi.
Sandeep Nandy also came into the side and played in goal in place of Graham Stack, while Bengaluru FC right back Rino Anto was dropped with Sandesh Jhingan again playing as a full-back.
Hughes scored his team's second goal while Belfort and Rafi created problems for the visitors. Goalkeeper Nandy was also exceptional for the Blasters as he made one stunning save from a Mohammed Sissoko shot which kept Kerala's lead to a two-goal margin before Zurdo halved the deficit.
All these changes paid dividend as Kerala climbed to the third spot in the table.
