Kerala Blasters Stage Dramatic Comeback to Beat East Bengal 2-1 in ISL 2024-25 Thriller – Match 11

Kerala Blasters FC staged a thrilling comeback to defeat East Bengal FC 2-1 in an intense ISL 2024-25 fixture held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on September 22, 2024. This match saw Kerala secure their first win of the season, while East Bengal suffered their second consecutive defeat.

First Half: Near Misses and Defensive Battles

The first half was an evenly contested affair, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to capitalize on their chances. East Bengal’s Jesus Jimenez and Kerala’s Dimitrios Diamantakos were involved in some promising moves, but neither could break the deadlock. Kerala Blasters, backed by a passionate home crowd, looked more threatening but struggled to find the finishing touch in the final third.

The match was marked by solid defensive efforts from both sides. Kerala’s Nishu Kumar and East Bengal’s Anwar Ali were pivotal in keeping the scoreline level as they effectively thwarted attacks. The first half ended without any goals, but it set the stage for a thrilling second half that would see plenty of drama.

Second Half: East Bengal Draw First Blood

The breakthrough came in the 59th minute when East Bengal’s Vishnu Puthiya opened the scoring with an assist from Dimitrios Diamantakos. A well-timed pass from Diamantakos set up Vishnu, who slotted the ball to empty Kerala Blaster’s net, putting East Bengal 1-0 up. The goal marked a high point for the visitors as they gained control of the match, albeit temporarily.

Kerala’s Response: Sadaoui and Peprah Steal the Show

Kerala Blasters, however, responded quickly. Just four minutes after East Bengal’s opener, Noah Sadaoui equalized for the hosts in the 63rd minute. Sadaoui, who had been the Golden Boot winner in the Durand Cup, continued his excellent form by calmly finishing a move displaying his individual brilliance. This equalizer energized the Kerala fans, and the momentum shifted in favor of the Blasters.

As the match progressed, Kerala Blasters began to dominate possession and push forward in search of the winning goal. Their persistence paid off in the 88th minute when Kwame Peprah delivered the decisive blow. Making advantage of defender Anwar Ali’s sloppy pass, Rahul KP and Aimen made sure that the ball fell perfectly for Peprah. The Ghanaian forward finished clinically, firing a powerful left-footed strike past East Bengal’s defenser Anwar Ali, and sealing the 2-1 victory for Kerala Blasters.

Key Players and Tactical Insights

• Noah Sadaoui and Kwame Peprah were the standout performers for Kerala Blasters. Sadaoui’s ability to find space and his clinical finishing, combined with Peprah’s match-winning goal, made them instrumental in Kerala’s comeback.
• Vishnu Puthiya was East Bengal’s most influential player, not only for scoring the opening goal but also for his overall contribution in midfield. However, East Bengal’s inability to maintain their lead exposed their defensive vulnerabilities.
• Kerala’s defense, led by Pretam Kotal and goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, stood firm throuhout the match, denying East Bengal any clear chances after the Blasters took the lead.

A Tactical Battle

The match was a tactical battle between Kerala Blasters’ head coach Mikael Stahre and East Bengal’s coach Carles Cuadrat. Kerala’s switch to a more attacking formation after conceding the first goal proved to be a masterstroke, as they capitalized on their dominance in possession. Stahre’s decision to introduce Peprah and push Rahul KP further forward also paid dividends.

East Bengal, despite their positive start, struggled to maintain control after taking the lead. Their defensive lapses and inability to cope with Kerala’s high pressing game in the latter stages of the match ultimately led to their downfall. Anwar Ali and Jose Pardo tried to hold off Kerala’s attacking advances, but the relentless pressure from Kerala’s forwards proved too much.

Conclusion: Kerala Blasters Triumph

The 2-1 victory marks a significant moment for Kerala Blasters, as they secured their first win of the ISL 2024-25 season. The fans at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium erupted in celebration as their team showcased resilience and determination to come from behind and win the match. With this win, Kerala Blasters climbed to sixth place in the ISL standings, while East Bengal slipped to eighth.

Kerala Blasters will be full of confidence heading into their next match against NorthEast United on September 29, while East Bengal will need to regroup and prepare for their clash with FC Goa on September 27.

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Kerala Blasters with a thrilling comeback against East Bengal FC – Match 11