Kerala Blasters 0-1 FC Pune City: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | ISL 2018-19

FC Pune City pipped Kerala Blasters FC to claim just their second victory of the ongoing Indian Super League and close down the gap between themselves and the top four to nine points.

For the visitors, Marcelinho was on target in the 20th minute, a goal that proved to be the difference between the two sides.

The hosts dominated proceedings and had almost 25 efforts on target, but couldn't find the back of the net. They started off slowly and only mustered clear-cut chances late on in the game, but a late show from Kamaljit Singh kept Pradhyum Reddy's side in the game. The visitors had a few chances in the second half as well, but it was them putting the defensive shift in for the larger span of time.

First ever win in Kochi, first clean sheet of the season, first away victory of the season - there was a lot to smile for the Stallions.

Here are the major talking points from Pune's 1-0 victory over Kerala Blasters.

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#1 The game opens up early on, both sides carve out openings but fail to score

Robin Singh played a couple of telling passes

Right from the first whistle, both sides saw themselves clear on goal a few number of times. The explosive Ashique burst on to the scene as early as the 3rd minute when he picked the ball up in the center of the park and ran at the opposition defence, but hit the side netting.

Moments later, Marcelinho was played through on goal, but the substantial frame of Dheeraj Moirangthem created on the back of excellent decision-making, denied the forward. A minute later, Slavisa Stojanovic was exquisitely found with a long pass from Pekuson, but the striker's slow movement led to a weak effort.

Marcelinho once again got the away crowd off their chairs when he launched one from 35 yards out. Sahal Samad, who was the silver lining for Kerala, got in behind and tested the opposition defence, but scuffed his shot just above the frame of goal.

The game finally opened up in the 20th minute through a Marcelinho goal that carried a slice of fortune along with it.

#2 Kerala dominated possession in the first half but were unsuccessful in the final third

Jhingan's delivery was often wayward

Although Pune took the lead from a little 10-15 minute spell of purposeful football, it was the home side with more of the ball. In the first 45, they notched more passes, had as many attempts as the Stallions and more possession.

Time and time again, David James' men attempted shots and final passes, but they were rather wasteful in the final third. Either the final ball lacked conviction, or there were hardly any bodies in the 18-yard box.

More often than not, the players were too static. None of them offered any sort of movement or looked to run in behind Goa's three-man back line. Most of the forwards were nowhere. Pekuson was forced to go wide continually in order to find space, whereas Jinghan and Kali's poor deliveries didn't help the cause either.

In order to create something and enhance the build-up play, Stojanovic came off his lines and dropped deeper, thereby erasing himself as a focal point. Doungel and Narzary aren't wingers who like to operate in narrow positions - something that sucked their creativity out.

As a result, the Blasters didn't register a shot on target.

#3 Substitutes looked lively for both sides

Vineeth looked lively since coming on

As envisioned by almost every Kerala fan in the stadium, CK Vineeth was brought on at half-time in order to inject pace into proceedings. He looked lively down the left, took on challenges and offered a sense of urgency.

A long ball was played into his path and the former BFC man completed a take-on but couldn't produce a cross. Minutes later, a cross from Jhingan fell to him down the far post, but his header was easily parried away.

Vineeth predominantly tried his level best to collect touches inside the box and win duels, but it took till the 94rd minute for Kerala to create their best chance of the game, through him. Sahal beautifully picked the winger out and with a fantastic first touch, he gave himself a chance.

However, his venomous strike smashed the bar and not the back of the net. His effort summed up Kerala Blasters' match and perhaps, their entire season.

For the away side, Marcelinho was taken off due to a supposed knock for Marko Stankovic. The Serbian offered a bit of everything and was rather effective.

He spread the play out, completed defensive duties, had a couple of efforts on goal and ran the extra yard whenever required. All in all, Stankovic illustrated his experience to good effect.

#4 A late show from Kamaljit Singh saved Pune

Authoritative. Impressive. Alert.

Dheeraj was the busier of two custodians all evening but Kamaljit had to stay alive till the very last moments of the game to ensure the shut-out and the three points. He did make a few routine stops throughout the match, but his last-minute heroics went down as the most important contributions.

In the 86th minute, Vineeth pick-pocketed a white shirt and drove forward. He played it to Prashant, who caught it well and tested Singh, who was equal to it as he smothered it away for a corner.

Six minutes later, Anas floated a ball to the far post where Jhingan was waiting. The defender headed it towards goal and yet again, Kamaljit got down quickly and saved it.

The only time he was beaten was when Vineeth struck the face of goal just before full-time. All in all, it was a massive performance from the shot-stopper.

#5 What now for David James and his side?

What now from here?

11 matches. 1 win. 4 defeats. Kerala Blasters are in no man's land at the moment, after having started the season unbeaten in the first five matches.

Neither have they looked relentless at home this around, nor in front of goal. They have overloaded bodies into the box, created chances throughout the campaign and offered threat, but only sporadically.

Today too, the hosts threatened late on in the game and here and there, but the bottom line was the lack of energy and a killer's instinct. More often than not, they were outplayed by Pune's midfield and work rate.

So what now for the beloved David James? His side have ran out of ideas many a time this term and now, the Blasters are in position where they need to win every single game from here and hope the results go their way.

Lots to think for the former Manchester City and Liverpool goalkeeper, lots to ponder.