East Bengal returned to winning ways as it got the better of Kerala Blasters 2-1 in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Friday.
P.V. Vishnu and Hijazi Maher found the target once each on either side of the two halves to secure the win for East Bengal, which had lost its previous three appearances. The only reply for the Blaster came from substitute Danish Farooq late in the second half.
East Bengal vs Kerala Blasters Highlights
The Torch Bearers commenced the match with an attacking intensity, relentlessly seeking the lead. Their efforts were rewarded in the 20th minute when Vishnu, capitalising on a long diagonal pass from Cleiton Silva, sprinted down the left flank and delicately chipped the ball over the advancing Kerala Blasters goalkeeper, Sachin Suresh. The Blasters’ defence was caught off guard as its defender, Korou Singh, mistimed his clearance attempt, leaving the ball to nestle into the back of the net.
The home side had the chance to double its lead a couple of minutes later but Sachin Suresh made a fine reflex save to deny Cleiton.
EBFC held a narrow 1-0 lead at halftime after Venezuelan winger Richard Celis unleashed a powerful long-range shot that struck the woodwork. Kerala Blasters, despite possessing talented players like Adrian Luna and Noah Sadaoui, struggled to create significant scoring opportunities in the first half.
Oscar Bruzon’s side doubled its lead after the break in the 72nd minute when Hijazi Maher nodded home from corner taken by Mahesh Singh. This set the Kolkata club on path to victory despite Kerala Blasters finding a late goal off substitute Danish Farooq in the 84th minute.
East Bengal preserved the lone goal lead till the end to end to grab all three points. With this win, EBFC stays at 11th position with a tally of 17 points from as many matches. Kerala Blasters remained in eighth spot with 21 points from 18 matches.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com