PANJIM: East Bengal were just a minute away from registering their first win in the competition but Jeakson Singh scored a stoppage time header to kelp Kerala Blasters frustrate the Kolkata side with a 1-1 draw while Mumbai City inflicted first defeat upon Hyderabad FC in the earlier encounter of the Indian Super League Matches on Sunday.
Coach Robbie Fowler was shattered at the touchline after the full time whistle as once again a lack of concentration in their defense cost them three points. Surely their attack will rue the missed chances too.
Bakary Kone’s own-goal had given the Kolkata side the first half lead. East Bengal were clearly the better side in terms of creating chances as they tested the keeper early in the game.
Haobam Singh tried to bend it from far but Albino Gomes was at his best to keep the effort out of frame.
At the other end, Kerala were unlucky not to score when Facundo Pereyra whipped in a fine cross from a corner and the ball fell towards an onrushing Costa Nhamoinesu, whose header clipped the top of the crossbar.
East Bengal were up in the game early on whenMohammad Rafique’s attempt to find their man at the far post deflected off Kone and entered the net.
East Bengal pulled off a stunning save in the second half to keep his side ahead when he denied Jordan Murray from inside the box. The keeper showed great reflexes to stop the ball.
Jeakson finally netted the equaliser in the 90+5 when he headed in Sahal’s cross.
In the earlier game, Mumbai were clearly the better side as they continued their pursuit to finish at the top. They are leading the table with 16 points from seven games. ATK are on 13 points and will play Bengaluru today. A win will take them level on points with the Mumbai side.
Vignesh’s acrobatic 38th-minute strike stood out as a genuine moment of quality. Adam Le Fondre put Sergio Lobera’s men further ahead in the 59th minute as Hyderabad tasted their first defeat of the season. Hyderabad stood their guard and thwarted most of the moves created by Mumbai. But going forward, the Nizams lacked creativity which dented their chances of scoring.
