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Kerala Blasters vs Jamshedpur FC, Indian Super League 2021-22 Highlights: KBFC and JFC played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. Kerala Blasters’ Sahal Abdul Samad is in good form but has not played 90 minutes in a match so far this season. Like all the players he has. Sahal said after yesterday’s match that he really wants to play full time. But it’s up to the coach to decide how many minutes he should play. He makes such a decision taking into account many factors. He respects that decision. Sahal said.
Sahal said he was happy to be able to score and would continue to strive to do so. Sahal has scored four goals so far this season. Sahal has scored in the last three Blasters games. The youngster said that he was disappointed that he could not win yesterday and that he could not find happiness except by three points.
Highlights
- Jamshedpur FC played out a 1-1 draw vs Kerala Blasters
- Greg Stewart scored a stunning goal from a free kick in the 14th minute
- Sahal Abdul Samad scored his third successive goal in the 27th minute
Greg Stewart struck a sensational goal but Jamshedpur FC eventually played out a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters, who were saved by Sahal Abdul Samad’s equaliser, in their Indian Super League match on Sunday. Stewart scored a stunning goal from a free kick in the 14th minute but his strike was cancelled out by Samad who scored his third successive goal in the 27th minute. Both teams looked for the winning goal but had to be content with a point each in the end.
The result meant Kerala Blasters are now third in the table with 13 points from eight matches while Jamshedpur are second, having the same number of points from eight games but ahead on goal scored.
Stewart showed early signs of continuing his purple patch with a wonderful first touch to receive a ball on the edge of the box but the Scottish forward’s attempt went wide of goal.
Minutes later, the 31-year old scored an incredible goal from a free-kick after Boris Singh was hacked down by Harmanjot Khabra on the inside left channel.
Showing skill of the highest order, Stewart curled a left-footer around the Kerala wall to beat the keeper all ends up and nestle in the back of the net off the crossbar.
Kerala did not take long to equalise largely due to Alvaro Vazquez’s spadework as he spun around Peter Hartley and then skipped past another white shirt to shoot on goal, only for TP Rehenesh to dive low and pull off a good save but as far as Samal who turned in the rebound to extend his scoring spree.
At half time, both teams went into the break with the scores level. Soon after the restart, Stewart picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Khabra and at the other end Vazquez’s delicious chip came off the crossbar after Hartley uncharacteristically failed to clear the ball.
Both sides upped the ante and it was end to end stuff in the last half hour or so.
Vazquez forced Rehenesh into action with a low shot that went out for a corner while Jitendra Singh’s volley from outside the box took a deflection and went straight to the keeper.
Kerala Blasters FC
Prabhsukhan Gill (7.5): Replacing the injured Albino between the sticks, Prabhsukhan Gill has displayed maturity going from game to game. He was sound under the crossbar for the Blasters today as well.
Ruivah Hormipam (6.5): Partnering with Marko Leskovic at the heart of Kerala Blasters FC’s defense, Ruivah was decent. At times, he supported Harmanjot Khabra in keeping the Jamshedpur FC attackers at bay.
Marko Leskovic (7): A rock at the back for the Yellow Tuskers, Leskovic was an aerial threat at both ends. He was a key figure in Kerala Blasters FC’s build-up.
Jessel Carneiro (6): Kerala Blasters FC skipper was good at building attacks from the back, linking up with Adrian Luna. Defensively, he did have some trouble keeping up with Ritwik Das.
Harmanjot Khabra (6.5): The right full-back was the engine for Kerala Blasters FC. His combination with Sahal was a cause for concern for Jamshedpur FC.
Jeakson Singh (6.5): Jeakson Singh has improved his game with the progress of the season. However, he needs to cope with the tempo of the game from time to time.
Lalthathanga Khawlhring (7): Lalthathanga was good for Kerala Blasters FC both offensively and defensively.
Sahal Abdul Samad (7.5): Kerala Blasters FC’s golden boy Sahal Abdul Samad is slowly coming into the big picture. The attacking midfielder covered a huge amount of ground and was instrumental in the attacking department.
Adrian Luna (8): With his pace and flair, Adrian is a huge threat to opposition defense as he was today. Although he is an attacking midfielder, Luna drops deep to assist in the build-up and is creative in the final third.
Jorge Diaz (7.5): He is not as pacey as his partners Adrian Luna and Alvaro Vasquez. But Jorge manages to constantly attack opposition defenders with his physicality and looks for opportunities inside the box to convert.
Alvaro Vasquez (8): He can be found in the opposition’s half. A prolific forward and is of great assistance to Sahal and Luna. He was instrumental in Kerala Blaster FC’s equalizer against Jamshedpur FC.
Substitutes:
Seityasen Singh (5.5): The midfielder was a surprise introduction by head coach Ivan Vukomanovic. Although rated highly, Seityasen was not impactful after his introduction to the game.
Vincy Barretto (6.5): Sahal’s replacement Vincy continued with his predecessor’s responsibilities. Vincy utilized his pace to keep Jamshedpur FC’s fullback alert.
Ayush Adhikari (6.5): Replacing Puitea in the second half, Ayush managed to help Kerala Blasters FC control the tempo of the game.
Enes Sipovic (6.5): Enes was introduced to add defensive solidarity to the Kerala Blasters FC side as the team went in the hunt for a winner. Sipovic’s introduction meant the team had a solid backline that could deal with pressure.
Prasanth Karuthadathkuni (6.5): Replacing Jorge Diaz in the second half, Prasanth’s introduction was aimed at partnering Vasquez in tune with his abilities.
Jamshedpur FC
TP Rehenesh (7): Jamshedpur FC’s wall under the crossbar. Rehenesh almost managed to stop Sahal’s equalizer from crossing the line. He was technically sound with his outing.
Laldinliana Renthlei (6): Laldinliana was impactful in patches. He was mostly overshadowed by Ritwik Das on the right side.
Narender Gahlot (6.5): Solid at the back for Jamshedpur FC and was an able partner to skipper Peter Hartley.
Peter Hartley (7.5): Jamshedpur FC’s skipper was prolific at the back. His positioning and aerial ability was a big factor in disallowing Kerala Blasters FC penetrating into the box aerially to create chances.
Ricky Lallawmawma (6): Ricky was better than average against the Blasters. He did leave any major impact on the game.
Ritwik Das (7): Replacing Doungel in this game, Ritwik Das was aggressive on and off the ball. He was quick to get himself behind loose balls and capitalize on possession.
Jitendra Singh (6): Jitendra was not as impactful as he usually is for Jamshedpur FC. He seemed to live under Lima’s shadow throughout the game.
Alexandre Lima (6.5): The midfielder was key in both aspects of the game against Kerala Blasters FC.
Boris Singh (6.5): The Jamshedpur FC winger was terrorizing Harmanjot Khabra with his pace throughout his time in the game.
Greg Stewart (8): He has been a key figure in every game he has featured in. His tricky dead-ball situation has been a real asset to Owen Coyle’s side.
Jordan Murray (6.5): Jordan Murray was not as effective as his colleague Nerijus Valskis. The forward had a decent game.
Substitutes
Ishan Pandita (5.5): Ishan Pandita was introduced because of his reputation as a super sub. He was not very impactful.
Mobashir Rahman (N/A): Came on at the 90-minute mark and couldn’t make an impact.
