ISL 2018-19: Jamshedpur FC 2-2 Kerala Blasters FC - 5 Talking Points

Jamshedpur FC were held at their home once again as they finished 2-2 in an exciting Indian Super League season 5 match at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Monday. Jamshedpur drew for the fourth straight match, which will definitely be a cause of concern for their coach Cesar Ferrando, considering they played better every time.

The match witnessed an emphatic comeback from Kerala as they were trailing by 0-2 in the first half and could’ve won the match had Slavisa Stojanovic’s penalty not been saved by Jamshedpur custodian Subrata Pal.

Jamshedpur came on to this match with a favourite tag and were looking for their second win. They have done enough in their previous matches but couldn’t end up with all the three points. After the match, the same thing happened again and they were forced to drop two points by a mighty Kerala Blasters.

Jamshedpur got a rollicking start of the match when Tim Cahill came out of nowhere to head Sergio Cidoncha’s corner to put his team ahead. Michael Soosairaj increased their lead with a superb curling shot from inside the box.

Kerala came out as a different side in the second half. Stojanovic could’ve reduced the margin from the penalty spot but his shot was saved by Subrata Paul. But the Serbian, in fact, reduced the margin in the 71st minute through a brilliant pass from Seminlen Doungel. Kerala-boy CK Vineeth scored with four minutes left to secure at least a point for his side.

Here are the five talking points from the match:

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#1 Why wasn’t Anas introduced?

Anas Edathodika has already made a name for himself in the central defence. Due to suspension, he wasn’t seen in action in the first few matches. But Anas has now come out of suspension and is fit to play. Why Kerala coach David James kept him on the bench against an attacking side like Jamshedpur is something unknown.

It is their captain Sandesh Jhinghan who controls the Kerala defence. Jhinghan, by virtue of playing alongside Anas for their national side, plays better with him. The two have a solid understanding, which would only help. That is the reason why Anas was roped in from Jamshedpur. Certainly, Anas would’ve enjoyed his time against his former team. But he didn’t get a chance.

It’s not that Nemanja Lekic-Pesic did any damage to his team. But the combination between Anas and Sandesh is something that the crowd would relish to watch.

#2 Jamshedpur lost the ball too many times

Jamshedpur's Soosairaj is tackled by Kerala's Rakip [Image: ISL]

Jamshedpur took the control of the game right from the start. They started creating chances, putting pressures on the opposition as much as they could, forcing them to commit mistakes. As a result, they deservingly got the two-goal lead before half-time. However, on the pitch, the picture didn’t reflect the scoreline.

Jamshedpur, despite being in the driver’s seat, lost the ball too many times. Raju, Arques and Memo were the guilty parties. Losing the ball cheaply to the opposition when you are very much in the game is not acceptable. Coach Cesar Ferrando was looking absolutely infuriated with his players. He was constantly giving instructions from the touchline but nobody probably heard.

This mistake came to haunt back Jamshedpur in the second half. Kerala kept the ball and their two wingers wreaked havoc. Kerala tried to pressurise their opponent with every move.

#3 Inspiring comeback from Kerala

Slavisa Stojanovic (left) scored Kerala's first goal of the game [Image: ISL]

From their opening three fixtures, Kerala Blasters probably lost out at least four points. In their second match against Mumbai City, they conceded a goal in the injury time. Delhi equalised just six minutes before the final whistle.

But Monday was different for the Yellow Army. Trailing by two goals and nothing to lose, Kerala came out all guns blazing. The players, who were quiet in the first half, suddenly came to life. They started controlling the proceedings.

Sahal’s introduction in the midfield gave Kerala more room to play. Sahal immediately contributed for his team’s cause when he passed to Matej Poplatnik but the Slovenian shot the ball wide. Sahal again was the centre of attraction when he found Stojanovic near the box and Serbian earned a penalty.

There are a few teams who forget to play defensive duties while creating an attack. But the likes of Jhinghan, Lakic-Pesic and Cyril Kali ensured no damage happened in their own half. They easily kept away one or two odd attempts by Jamshedpur.

#4 Two wingers stole the show

Doungel was the Hero of the Match [Image: ISL]

The game saw two great wingers in each half. If the first half belonged to Michael Soosairaj, Seminlen Doungel surely caught everyone off-guard in the second. In the end, both of them left smiling.

Much has been talked about Soosairaj before the season even began. The former Chennai City man had been a headache for every opponent team in last year’s I-League. After the campaign finished, many teams tried to sign the winger but it was Jamshedpur who snooped in the Chennai-born smoothly.

In ISL against tougher opponents, Soosairaj has been showing the same kind of talent which he possesses. Darting runs down the line, dribbling past opponent easily and lethal crosses from the by-line are some of the hallmarks of Soosairaj’s game. He scored an eye-catching goal to open his account in ISL.

Doungel did the same in the second half. But he has more pace than Soosairaj and can outpace two or three defenders at a time. Whatever be it, they are a gift to the nation and the Indian coach shouldn’t think twice before including them for the next game.

#5 James did it with three changes

David James [Image: ISL]

It was not the same Kerala team that we’ve seen in the previous matches. They were sitting back at defence, allowing their opposition to take control and were inferior in the midfield.

Moreover, their defence was abysmal to say the least. During the first goal, a pint-size Lalruatthara marked World Cupper Tim Cahill, when Jhinghan has a better physique and experience to do it. Soosairaj scored at a time when the whole Kerala defence didn’t know what to do.

David James made two changes at half-time. He introduced Cyril Kali in the left-back position and Sahal Samad in the midfield. That worked wonders as Sahal started making an impression from his very first touch. He created two beautiful moves within the first ten minutes. Later, he took control of the midfield and were roaming all around the park.

The most important substitution came in the 68th minute when Doungel was introduced. Probably we’ve never seen a player coming on to the field that late and leaving with the Hero of the Match award. Such was the dominance of Doungel. He always finds the right man at the right moment.

Against Mumbai, he crossed to Halicharan Narzary, which was their only goal of the game. On Monday, Sahal found Stojanovic during the first goal.

The second assist was pure class. Doungel sped past three Jamshedpur defenders to enter the box and found Vineeth in a suitable position, the later made no mistake.