That's all for the coverage of the clash between Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC. This is Sayantan signing off and I hope to you see in the upcoming matches.
Although the Blasters were clearly the dominant side from the get-go, NorthEast showed a lot of resilience to keep them at bay.
Arindam Bhattacharjee kept NEUFC in the clash until KBFC finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute.
The Highlanders were caught napping from a throw-in and Bryce Miranda receives on the left flank with acres of space. The Indian winger carefully curated the perfect cross which was comfortably nodded home by Dimitrios Diamantakos.
Minutes later, Ivan Vukomanovic's side doubled their lead through Diamantakos yet again, completely nullifying the valiant defending from the Highlanders.
The visitors couldn't conjure up enough impetus in the second half to alter the scoreline in their favor.
FULL-TIME: Kerala Blasters FC 2-0 NorthEast United FC
90' Five minutes of additional time!
87' More changes for the Highlanders: Kule Mbombo and Romain Philippoteaux are replaced by Imran Khan and Rochharzela.
86' Substitution for KBFC: Jeakson Singh makes way for Vibin Mohan.
78' NorthEast United FC have squandered their best chance of the game. Parthib Gogoi drilled in an inch-perfect cross that evaded all the KBFC defenders and found Romain Philippoteaux. However, the Frenchman scuffed his effort high and wide from the point blank range.
72' Double change for KBFC: Rahul KP and Apostolos Giannou makes way for Ayush Adhikari and Ivan Kaliuzhnyi.
70' Change for NEUFC: Jithin M.S is replaced by Parthib Gogoi.
67' Apostolos Giannou makes his way into the box after getting a couple of favorable rebounds but his volley goes wide.
63' NEUFC bring on fresh legs: Mohamed Irshad comes on for Pragyan Gogoi.
61' Double change for KBFC: Bryce Miranda and Harmanjot Khabra make way for Sahal Abdul Samad and Nishu Kumar.
55' Rahul KP shows his strength to win the ball from Jithin M.S. and then skilfully beats a few NEUFC players as he enters the box. Rahul takes the shot but Aaron Evans slides to block it.
46' Substitution for NEUFC: Mashoor Shereef comes on for Gaurav Bora.
46' SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!
HALF-TIME: Kerala Blasters FC 2-0 NorthEast United FC
45' Two minutes added on.
44' GOOOOOAAALL!
Just like that KBFC have secured a two-goal lead. NorthEast were once again sluggish in defense and Adrian Luna picked out Diamantakos with a delicious long ball. None of the defenders tracked the forward's run and all the Greek-Australian international had to do was help it past Arindam. Vincenzo and NEUFC are in shock.
42' GOOOOOAAALLLL!
The Blasters have pulled ahead and how. The Highlanders were caught napping from a throw-in and Bryce Miranda receives on the left flank with acres of space. The Indian winger carefully curated the perfect cross which was comfortably nodded home by Dimitrios Diamantakos. Kerala Blasters leading 1-0.
40' Arindam Bhattacharja keeps NEUFC in the game with an outstanding reaction save.
34' Gurjinder Kumar is being shown a yellow card as he stops Rahul KP by pulling his jersey.
34' Aaron Evans is shown a yellow card.
29' HOW DID ADRIAN LUNA MISS THAT?
Bryce Miranda showed incredible skill to break down the left flank and cannoned in an inch-perfect cross. However, Luna, who is unmarked on the far post, manages to somehow squander the gilt-edged opportunity. WIll the miss come back to haunt KBFC?
20' Despite making six changes to the starting lineup, Ivan Vukomanovic's men have looked like a well-oiled unit so far. The players have formed a cohesive unit so far.
17' Kerala break down the other wing this time and Rahul KP plays a low cross into the box after beating his marker. But none of the KBFC forward can nudge the ball into the net.
15' A stunning back heel from Adrian Luna just outside the opposition box to find Bryce Miranda in acres of space down the left. The winger drills in a low cross for Apostolos Giannou but the big man drags his effort wide.
12' Emil Benny does quite well down the right flank, to create some space before cutting the ball back for Kule Mbombo. But the Congolese international's effort was deflected way to safety.
8' Dimitrios Diamantakos goes into the referee's book!
6' Alex Saji is booked quite early on in the game due to his sliding tackle on Adrian Luna.
2' Dimitrios Diamantakos tests NEUFC custodian Arindam early on, but the keeper is on the top of the proceedings.
1' KICK-OFF!
The home team gets the first touch on the ball.
𝑻𝑬𝑨𝑴 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺 𝑰𝑺 𝑰𝑵👇
• New signing, Joseba starts in the middle of the park 💪 • Arindam is back between the sticks 🧤
Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the ISL 2022-23 match between Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC. This is Sayantan and I'll be taking you through what promises to be an enticing encounter.
Kerala Blasters FC will welcome bottom-placed NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, January 29.
The Blasters are fifth in the league standings and will be eyeing a victory to secure a spot in the playoffs. Following an 8-game unbeaten run, Ivan Vukamanovic's side lost back-to-back games against Mumbai City FC and FC Goa.
NorthEast United, who have faced eight consecutive defeats, have accumulated four points from seven games since the appointment of Vincenzo Alberto Annese more than six weeks ago.
Arindam Bhattacharjee kept NEUFC in the clash until KBFC finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute.
The Highlanders were caught napping from a throw-in and Bryce Miranda receives on the left flank with acres of space. The Indian winger carefully curated the perfect cross which was comfortably nodded home by Dimitrios Diamantakos.
Minutes later, Ivan Vukomanovic's side doubled their lead through Diamantakos yet again, completely nullifying the valiant defending from the Highlanders.
The visitors couldn't conjure up enough impetus in the second half to alter the scoreline in their favor.
Just like that KBFC have secured a two-goal lead. NorthEast were once again sluggish in defense and Adrian Luna picked out Diamantakos with a delicious long ball. None of the defenders tracked the forward's run and all the Greek-Australian international had to do was help it past Arindam. Vincenzo and NEUFC are in shock.
The Blasters have pulled ahead and how. The Highlanders were caught napping from a throw-in and Bryce Miranda receives on the left flank with acres of space. The Indian winger carefully curated the perfect cross which was comfortably nodded home by Dimitrios Diamantakos. Kerala Blasters leading 1-0.
Bryce Miranda showed incredible skill to break down the left flank and cannoned in an inch-perfect cross. However, Luna, who is unmarked on the far post, manages to somehow squander the gilt-edged opportunity. WIll the miss come back to haunt KBFC?
The home team gets the first touch on the ball.
Kerala Blasters FC vs NorthEast United FC prediction, preview, team news, and more ahead of the 2022-23 ISL clash
The Blasters are fifth in the league standings and will be eyeing a victory to secure a spot in the playoffs. Following an 8-game unbeaten run, Ivan Vukamanovic's side lost back-to-back games against Mumbai City FC and FC Goa.
NorthEast United, who have faced eight consecutive defeats, have accumulated four points from seven games since the appointment of Vincenzo Alberto Annese more than six weeks ago.