ISL 2015: Chennaiyin FC 4-1 Kerala Blasters

Chennayin FC dented Kerala Blasters’ hopes of a top 4 finish with an emphatic 4-1 win in the all-important Southern Derby. Striker Stiven Mendoza and defender Dhanachandra Singh were on target for the Blues while Antonio German scored the solitary goal for the Blasters.The win takes Chennayin FC two places above Kerala Blasters up to sixth with 13 points, while Kerala Blasters who succumbed defeat headed to the foot of the table with 11. Here are the major talking Points from match 43 of the Hero Indian Super League. All images courtesy of ISL

#1 Dhana Singh scores an immaculate volley

Leihaorungbam Dhanachandra Singh scored arguably one of the best goals of Chennaiyin’s campaign with an immaculate volley for the opener. The goal came in as early as the 3rd minute when Kerala Blasters’ right back Rahul Bheke could clear only as far as Dhana Singh, who did not think twice before putting his foot through the ball. He met the poor clearance sweetly to direct it beyond a helpless Peter Ramage and goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

The 28-year old Dhana, hailing from Imphal, Manipur has good experience in the Indian top flight, having played for I-League clubs such as Air India, Churchill Brothers and Mohun Bagan. It was earlier this year that Dhana received his first national team cap, in India’s 2-1 loss to Oman in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Apart from the one brilliantly taken effort to score just his sixth career goal, it was a rather quiet afternoon for the defender who had very little on his plate with Kerala’s forwards misfiring horribly.

#2 Nightmarish game for the Kerala Blasters

Kerala Blasters’ improved run of performances of late under Terry Phelan was brought to a halt by a rampant Chennaiyin FC. Kerala Blasters, who had won 2 of their last 3 games, underperformed in every department and were sent home empty handed.

The attacking pair of Chris Dagnall and Antonio German, who had six goals among themselves from the last three games, fell flat while attacking midfielders Josu Prieto and Pulga were largely ineffective. Throughout the course of 90 minutes, Kerala displayed all the signs of a team lacking attacking flair with misplaced passes and cheaply surrendering of possession.

At the back, the defence was in shambles and was torn to shreds by their opponents, disappointing the travelling fans in yellow yet again this season. The defenders had a hand in conceding four goals, all of which could have been avoided with some basic defending.

However, there will be very less blame attached to head coach, Terry Phelan, who could not have done any better with the team selection.

#3 Stiven Mendoza scores second hat-trick of the season

The magical John Stiven Mendoza scored his second hat-trick of the season taking advantage of shattered Kerala Blasters defence. The 23-year old scored his first goal after a defensive mix-up lead to the ball landing kindly at his feet. Mendoza, who still had work to do, beautifully curled it past Stephen Bywater.

His second and third came in quick succession in the second half. A shot with the outside of his foot deflected off Bruno Perone into the net for his second of the night and he then rounded off his hat-trick a minute later after he coolly lobbed a quickly taken Chennayin free-kick over the advancing goalkeeper.

The Colombian now has 9 goals from 10 games, including two hat-tricks, and is in the form of his life. He now leads the race for the golden boot by a 3-goal margin with Sunil Chettri hot at his heels with 6 goals.

#4 Chennaiyin keep their hopes alive with a dominant display

Chennaiyin went into the game on the back of three consecutive defeats knowing that anything less than a win could have diminished their chances of a top-four finish. Marco Materazzi’s men, who were top of the standings going into the playoffs last season, have not been able to achieve the heights they did in ISL 1 but showed glimpses of their brilliance from last season in the 4-1 win.

Materazzi’s tactics worked its charm as Chennaiyin were flawless in attack. The attacking trio of Bruno Pellissari, Stiven Mendoza and Jeje proved to be lethal as they were all over a shattered Blasters side, who would consider themselves lucky that the scoreline stayed 4-1. In defence, Bernand Mendy bossed and dictated proceedings and was supported by Italian Alessandro Potenza while full backs Mehraj Wadoo and Dhana Singh discharged their duties well.

The win over their fellow semi-finalists from last season helps Chennayin move up to sixth in the standings and, with 3 games to go, Chennaiyin could still make it to the semi-final playoffs. The next hurdle in their path are the high-flying Delhi Dynamos who come visiting on 24 November.

#5 Defeat sums up Kerala Blasters\' campaign

Runners-up from the inaugural ISL season, the Kerala Blasters can bid their season goodbye at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Chennai as nothing short of miracle can now help the last placed side finish in a semi-final playoff spot with only 3 games to go.

Kerala Blasters, who have consistently disappointed the fans and stakeholders alike, got their season underway on the right note with a good win at home against NorthEast but ran out of fuel in the coming round of fixtures. Playing under their third manager this season, they took to the trend of conceding late goals in games against Atletico de Kolkata, Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa – all of which substantiated their misery and may have cost them their season.

If fingers need to be pointed, the injury-plagued squad can be one of the many reasons for Kerala’s downfall. Marquee signing Carlos Marchena had to return home after making just one appearance owing to an injury to his back while Sanchez Watt, who scored 2 goals this season, is also ruled out.

Overall the team lacked character and never threatened like the team that almost won the ultimate prize last season. With 11 points from as many games, Kerala Blasters will travel to take on Mumbai City next, where a defeat and unfavourable results elsewhere could mathematically rule them out of the season.