Kerala Blasters’ long wait for its first goal this season was finally over here on Sunday night. But there was no change in the end result with Mumbai City FC pulling off a 1-1 draw at the Nehru Stadium here.
Hungry after two goalless games at home, Blasters went on the attack from the word go.
With Markos Sifneos offered a start in place of Iain Hume, the home side had more punch to its attack. It looked faster, appeared to have more purpose and the home boys looked eager to help out each other.
Winger C.K. Vineeth was sending in a steady stream of crosses from the left, Courage Pekuson produced the vibrant form he had shown in the opening game and there was the calm influence of Dimitar Berbatov in the midfield. The team appeared set. It was 18-year-old Sifneos, the youngest foreigner in the ISL, who brought Blasters’ most precious goal in the 14th minute, ending his team’s 200-minute wait.
Wingback Rino Anto advanced from the right and sent a lovely cross to Sifneos and the young Dutchman made no mistake.
Mumbai, with just a three-day break after its last game in Pune, appeared weary and the Blasters backline took care of things whenever the visitors turned adventurous.
Mumbai’s best chance in the opening session came towards the end but Rafael Jorda Assin’s effort was nicely taken care of by home goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.
The home side continued its domination in the next session and had a few chances to increase the tally. Pekuson missed one such chance after receiving a cross from the left from Vineeth.
Meanwhile, Mumbai relied mainly on counterattacks but Cameroonian Achille Emana frequently found himself running into an yellow wall, especially Pesic. The visitor was a shade unlucky too in the 55th minute when Everton Santos’ shot hit the right post. Hume made his appearance shortly after the 70th minute, replacing Sifneos, but he was closely marked by the Mumbai defenders Mehrajuddin Wadoo and captain Lucian Goian.
A few minutes later Mumbai broke the hearts of the 35,000 noisy fans with the equaliser. Everton Santos, who received a long ball from Emana, sent a nice cross in the way of the onrushing Balwant and he finished the job impressively.
And once again, the home side was forced to share points.
The result: Kerala Blasters (Markos Sifneos 14) drew with Mumbai City FC (Balwant 77).
