NorthEast United FC scored two goals in stoppage time to beat Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in a dramatic match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The win was the Highlanders’ first home win this season and the three points helped them climb to the third position in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 table.

The defeat was Kerala’s third loss in a row after going unbeaten in their first five matches. The Blasters are currently placed seventh in the standings, with just seven points from eight matches.

  • Matej Poplatnik scored on the 73rd minute to give Kerala the lead.
  • Bartholomew Ogbeche converted a penalty in added time to equalise for the home team.
  • Substitute Juan Mascia, who own the penalty, smashed home the winner just minutes later.

Kerala head coach David James made five changes to his starting line-up from their last match against FC Goa, most notably bringing young goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh in. To recall, Dheeraj started in Kerala's first two matches of the season against ATK and Mumbai and was impressive in both. James, however, opted to drop him in favour of Naveen Kumar in the next five matches.

The home team looked dominant in the opening exchanges, but it was the away side who created the first chance of the match. Poplatnik's shot, however, was too tame to worry NorthEast goalkeeper Pawan Kumar.

On the 10th minute, Dheeraj justified his manager's decision to start him with an astounding save to keep out Bartholomew Ogbeche's powerful header. The youngster stuck a leg out instinctively to deny Ogbeche his seventh goal of the season.

Just four minutes later, Kerala got a golden opportunity to grab the opener after Halicharan Narzary's cross found Seiminlen Doungel unmarked inside the six-yard box. The Kerala no. 9, however, missed his header with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, NorthEast's Mislav Komorski had a lovely chance to nod his team into the lead, but the defender couldn't keep his header on target.

The home team, without a shadow of a doubt, was the better team in the first-half but their offensive mindset also allowed Kerala the space to engineer scoring chances of their own through counter-attacks. One such forward forays from the away team almost bore fruit on the 38th minute, after Halicharan rode a challenge inside the box and managed to chip an onrushing Pawan Kumar. His effort came back into play after hitting the post. The danger, however, was far from over for NorthEast as the ball dropped for Doungel. But, like the earlier chance, he couldn't make the opportunity count.

The two teams headed into the break with the score reading 0-0.

NorthEast started the second-half on the front foot with Federico Gallego causing havoc down the right flank. The Uruguayan, time and again, carved open the Kerala defence with his vision and silky skills but the visitors somehow held on courtesy some last-ditch blocks and challenges. Ogbeche tried his luck with an overhead kick but Dheeraj was at hand yet again to deny him.

On the hour mark, James decided to throw in CK Vineeth in the mix to change the flow of the match. The veteran striker almost made an immediate impact with an effort from outside the box, but his shot sailed just over the bar.

The breakthrough finally came on the 73rd minute and it was the away team which took the lead against the run of play. Poplatnik eluded his marker to meet substitute Zakeer Mundampara’s corner kick at the near post. The striker did very well to put his glancing header inside the post. 1-0 to the Blasters.

After conceding, NorthEast tried to pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser but could only manage half chances. With the game heading into stoppage time, the tides turned. The home team won a penalty after Sandesh Jhingan barged into Juan Mascia inside the Kerala box. The referee pointed to the spot and Ogbeche stepped up to convincingly slot the spot kick past Dheeraj.

Mascia, who was a 79th minute substitute for NorthEast, wasn’t done yet. With just seconds remaining on the clock, the Uruguayan striker beat Dheeraj with a cracking volley from a difficult angle. His strike turned out to be the winner.

HERO OF THE MATCH – Sandesh Jhingan

Despite conceding the penalty in stoppage time, Sandesh Jhingan was brilliant for Kerala over the course of 90 minutes. He was a towering presence at the back for his team and put in a herculean effort tonight. He was adjudged the Hero of the Match.

CLUB AWARDS

Club Award – NorthEast United FC

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Federico Gallego

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Rowllin Borges

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Dheeraj Singh

Hero of the Match – Sandesh Jhingan

WHAT’S NEXT?

NorthEast will be back in action on November 27 when they take on FC Pune City at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune. Kerala, on the other hand, will be up against arch-rivals Chennaiyin FC in the South Indian Derby on November 29.

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Related tags:

Kerala Blasters FCNorthEast United FC 2018-2019Match Report