Mumbai City 1-1 Kerala Blasters: 3 Reasons why the visitors only managed a draw

#2 Kerala create very little of note apart from the goal

Sahal Abdul Samad (Credits: ISL)

Before the game started, Kerala had scored 5 goals from their first 6 fixtures, meaning that they cast themselves as a side looking slightly scrappy in the final third. To put things into perspective, Eelco Schattorie even quipped in the pre-match press conference that their supply line hadn’t been up to scratch.

Inevitably, all eyes were trained on how the visitors would go about their offensive play on Thursday. To that end, they even fielded Sahal Abdul Samad, a crafty midfielder capable of unlocking any defence.

However, nothing of that sort materialised as the Blasters looked devoid of ideas for large swathes of the game. Even though they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half, they created very little as they often floundered after getting into promising positions.

Through the opening 45 minutes, the clearest opportunity fell to Messi, who had manufactured his shot courtesy a brilliant touch and an equally wonderful bicycle kick.

After the restart though, the Blasters spiralled downwards on that front as they failed to display the requisite bravery and courage to play through the lines. Subsequently, several balls were hoofed forward for Messi, who waged a lone battle against the likes of Mato Grgic and Pratik Chouwdhary.

And, to personify their shoddy attacking display, Sahal, who was perceived as the solution to their problems, only managed 10 successful passes and 22 touches before being hauled off at the hour-mark.

Through the early stages of the season, Kerala have portrayed quite a few deficiencies, frailties that haven’t shown any signs of disappearing. And, courtesy another rudderless display in Mumbai, those furrowed brows only would’ve gotten more discernible.