Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC share the points in ISL 2015's first 0-0 draw

Sony Norde was a goal threat all night long (Image source: ISL)

Jawaharlal Nehru stadium witnessed a tame draw as neither side could find a spark to score on the day resulting in this season’s first 0-0 draw in the ISL. Substitute Frederic Piquionne came the closest to scoring when he hit the post just minutes after he replaced Darren O’Dea as Nicolas Anelka looked to go for the jugular.

Kerala Blasters went into the match, making 3 changes to the side that beat NorthEast United. On came Manandeep Singh, Pulga and Gurwinder Singh, replacing Josu, Carvalho and Mohammed Rafi. Blasters’ boss Peter Taylor, who insisted that his side needed to pass the ball a bit more, went ahead with same approach of playing 3 central defenders at the back.

Player-manager, Nicholas Anelka opted Sony Norde and Singam Subhash to lead the line, while Frédéric Piquionne started from the bench. In defence, Ashutosh Mehta and Keegan Pereira gave way to Darren O’Dea and Aitor.

First Half

Mumbai City started the game on the front foot, enjoying a healthy amount of initial possession. At the other end, it was a nervy few opening minutes for Kerala Blasters who struggled to get a grip on proceedings.

Indian midfielder Gabriel, had the first sight at goal but sent the ball rising above the crossbar. The 11th minute saw the first effort on target, as in swinging ball resulting from a Sony Norde set-piece was directed straight at Stephen Bywater, by Subhash Singh for Mumbai.

Minutes later, Pulga’s wayward ball in from the right wing travelled awkwardly on goal and had to be tipped over by the alert goalkeeper, Majumdar. Haitian midfielder Sony Norde was lively throughout the half on the left flank, and was giving the hosts all sorts of trouble.

At the half hour mark a good build up play from Kerala; between Dagnall and Pulga led to the ball falling kindly for Vineeth, who could only put it wide. As the rather uneventful first half drew to a close, it was Nicholas Anelka, who went into the dressing room happier, as Peter Taylor clearly had work to do, with the Blasters lacking the killer instinct in the final third.

First Half Score: Kerala Blasters FC 0-0 Mumbai City FC

Second half

It was pretty much the same story in the second half for Kerala Blasters. They relished more of the ball, but lacked the panache to finish to moves off.

Mumbai City F.C’s Bertin Frantz was the first player of the night to go into the referee’s book, for a high boot on Chris Dagnall. The resulting free-kick was fed into Peter Ramage who could only find keeper, Majumdar with his effort.

Subhash Singh came close to scoring for Mumbai City on 54 minutes. The Manipuri striker produced some tidy footwork and tested Kerala’s keeper with the effort that followed.

The Citizens desperately in need of fresher legs brought on Ashutosh Mehta for Aitor and Benachour for Saran at the hour mark. Rahul Bheke’s long throw-ins were a headache for the Mumbai defence as his set-piece style deliveries called a cause for concern, with Kerala committing bodies in the box.

Striker, Chris Dagnall had a forgettable afternoon as he was bullied around by the adamant Frantz Bertin. He was replaced by Sanchez Watt much to the delight of over 61,000 home fans. Watt had a glorious chance to put his side ahead moments later. The former Arsenal academy product was played in by Mehtab Hossain with a delightful ball but his touch let him down and the keeper snuffed out the danger before Watt could make amends.

The impressive Sony Norde, kept at his good work for Mumbai and found Frenchman Piquionne free in box on 84 minutes.The striker who came on as a substitute could beat the keeper but the woodwork came to the rescue for the home side.

The teams split the spoils at the end of 90 minutes and shared a point apiece.

Full Time score: Kerala Blasters FC 0-0 Mumbai City FC