Kerala Blasters made a spectacular comeback with two second-half goals to hold host Jamshedpur FC (JFC) 2-2 in a finely contested encounter of the Hero-ISL here on Monday.
Tim Cahill and Michael Soosairaj found the goals for JFC, cancelled out by Slavisa Stojanovic and C.K. Vineeth.
JFC made a flying start, its prodigal striker Cahill finding the back of the Blasters net with a diving header.
Cahill opened his account in the tournament, dodging marker Lalruatthara and plugging in a Sergio Cidoncha corner-kick.
JFC’s defence, under the charge of Spaniard Jose Arroyo, foiled all Blasters’ plans to find the equaliser. A long period of lull followed as JFC decided to hang on to the lead.
However, Ferrando’s call to take advantage of its dominance, spurred JFC to enhance the lead through a spectacular effort from Michael Soosairaj.
The 23-year-old import from Chennai City FC produced a world-class finish, curling the ball past the Blasters’ ’keeper Naveen Kumar to drive the 20,000 plus fans wild.
With head coach David James ringing in a couple of changes, Blasters put up a better fight after the break. Matej Poplatnik saw his 51st-minute effort sailing inches over. He had beaten Subrata Paul, but the ball narrowly missed the target.
Then, JFC defender Sanjay Balmuchu made the cardinal error of bringing down Stojanovic inside the box, but goalkeeper Paul anticipated the Serbian’s attempt from the spot and blocked the penalty.
The virtually ineffective left flank, where Halicharan Narzary failed to perform, was brought alive by substitute Seimenlen Doungel, who provided the important assist three minutes following his introduction in the 68th minute to get Blasters back in the game.
Doungel set up Stojanovic, the man whose penalty was saved, and the Serbian striker did not make any mistake this time, a nice left-footed volley beating Paul.
Doungel fashioned the equaliser in the 86th minute as he made another darting run through the left, beat JFC right-back Yumnam Raju, to set up C.K. Vineeth, who just had to place the ball home.
The result: Jamshedpur FC 2 (Tim Cahill 3, Michael Soosairaj 31) drew with Kerala Blasters FC 2 (Slavisa Stojanovic 71, C.K. Vineeth 86).
