ISL 2015: FC Pune City 3-2 Kerala Blasters - 5 Talking Points

FC Pune City saw off a fighting Kerala Blasters 3-2 in a thoroughly entertaining clash that witnessed as many as 4 headed goals, including the fastest goal of ISL season 2. Kalu Uche and Mohammed Rafi both scored braces for Pune and Kerala respectively, but it was Tuncay Sanli who eventually won the game for FC Pune City with a textbook header from a Nickey Shorey cross.The win sends FC Pune City to the top of the standings with 12 points while Kerala Blasters remain at the foot of the table with just 4 points. Here are the major talking points from match number 22 of the Hero Indian Super League 2015 held at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune.

#1 Magical display from Nickey Shorey

Nicky Shorey (L) played a part in all 3 goals (Image courtesy of ISL)

Nickey Shorey produced a stunning display from left back, playing a major part in all three goals for FC Pune City. The former Aston Villa and Reading player grabbed 3 assists and unsurprisingly took home the ‘Hero of the match’ award.

For the first goal, Shorey put in a delightful ball in, finding striker Kalu Uche after Mohammed Rafi found the back of the net in similar fashion at the other end. His second assist took some tidy footwork to go past the scrambling Rahul Bheke and Mehtab Hossain serving Uche for the second time with a cut-back cross.

The hat-trick of assists came in the 72nd minute when the Englishman floated in another beautiful cross for Tuncay Sanli who was happy to do the honours, scoring his third goal of the ISL.

Shorey, who has immense experience of playing in the English top flight, was a composed figure when in possession, guarded the flanks well and was consistent throughout the 90 minutes.

#2 Mohammed Rafi scores his fourth headed goal of the season.

Mohammed Rafi stands second in the race for the ISL golden boot (Image courtesy of ISL)

The only positive for Kerala Blasters in what has been a dreadful season so far has been their local hero, Mohammed Rafi. The striker hailing from Kasargod, Kerala began the night with two ISL goals under his belt and ended the evening doubling his tally. Incidentally, all 4 of Rafi’s goals have come off his head.

Standing at 5’10”, Rafi is not an ideal big centre-forward to assume the role of a typical number 9 for the men in yellow. He was picked out by Chris Dagnall for the first goal and Josu Prieto for the second. 33-year old Rafi, who played for Atletico de Kolkata last season, is only of the only few players who has stepped up for the Blasters this season.

With 4 goals, Rafi now stands second in the race for the ISL golden boot, and will be quite pleased with his personal performance. But his team will have to do a lot better if they are to turn around their miserable campaign.

#3 Centre-backs Gouramangi Singh and Diego Colotto disappoint

Centre-halves Colotto and Gouramangi were caught napping (Image courtesy of ISL)

David Platt, who had struck gold with his team selection so far, got it wrong against Kerala Blasters in the heart of defence with his fourth different back four combination this season. Pune City started off on the wrong foot in defence as the centre-back pair of Gouramangi Singh and Diego Colotto collapsed. The duo lacked communication and were at fault for both of Kerala Blasters’ goals.

Colotto and Gourmangi were caught napping and failed to challenge Mohammed Rafi, who shocked Pune with an early goal by sneaking in between the tall centre backs. Rafi’s equaliser again saw some poor defending from the centre-halves, as a seemingly harmless cross was headed in rather coolly. Neither could put in a challenge strong enough to contain Rafi.

Having realised his blunder in team selection, Platt reacted quickly by replacing Colotto with Roger Johnson who put in a much better shift at the back in the second half.

#4 Kerala have lost four in a row

Kerala Blasters sit at the bottom of the table with just 4 points (Image courtesy of ISL)

Kerala Blasters further added to their predicament with a fourth straight loss becoming the first ever team to do so in the Hero Indian Super League. The Blasters have just four points from six matches and sit rock bottom of the table after the 3-2 loss in Pune.

At the centre of this mess is head coach Peter Taylor who will have to come up with something special if Kerala are to push for a top four finish and make it to the semi-finals. These are testing times for Kerala who have a strong squad on paper and have played decently but have just not managed to get the results.

Kerala will host Chennayin FC at home next on 31 October; the first of three consecutive home games for the Blasters. Nothing less than three points will be acceptable for the yellow brigade.

#5 Impressive Pune City climb to top of the ISL table

FC Pune City move to the top with 12 points from 6 games (Image courtesy of ISL)

The victorious FC Pune City move to the very top of table with 12 points from six games – two ahead of FC Goa who have played the same number of matches. They had to work hard after a tough loss to Chennayin FC and bounced back brilliantly.

Having learned from their mistakes in the first half, FC Pune City did a commendable job in the second half bossing the midfield and bringing about some discipline at the back. Tuncay Sanli, Kalu Uche and Nickey Shorey were the star performers for FC Pune City who had to come back twice to win 3-2.

Despite the two-point lead at the top, Coach David Platt will let his team know that there is very little room for complacency when they hit the road again to face FC Goa on 30 October. The Stallions, who are just two points ahead of Goa at the top, will cross swords with the Gaurs in a mouth-watering encounter at Fatorda on Friday.