A goal in injury time helped Kerala Blasters FC to a draw against SC East Bengal in Match 35 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Sunday. After an own goal from Bakary Kone that put them ahead, SC East Bengal held on to their lead and almost clinched the victory before Jeakson Singh headed in the equaliser in second half stoppage time.
Hero ISL debutant Haobam Singh came close to opening the scoring in the 9th minute, forcing Kerala Blasters custodian Albino Gomes into a brilliant save. Kerala had a chance of their own two minutes later after Facundo Pereyra’s corner was headed over the crossbar by Costa Nhamoinesu.
SC East Bengal took the lead in the 13th minute after Kone put the ball into his own net. Jacques Maghoma fed the ball to Mohammed Rafique, whose pass to Anthony Pilkington was intercepted by Kone into the Kerala goal.
Maghoma and Pilkington combined almost to score SC East Bengal’s second goal a few minutes later after Maghoma played the ball to the Irish midfielder. The following shot needed a fingertip save from the Blasters goalkeeper.
At the other end, Jessel Carneiro was inches close to scoring the equaliser for Kerala Blasters at the half hour mark, however, his shot went just over the crossbar. The Blasters created a number of half chances but could not find the back of the net and went into the break a goal behind.
Kerala Blasters continued their attacking intent in the second half. Kone came close to making up for his own goal but his header from a corner hit the side netting instead.
SC East Bengal’s Rafique had a chance of his own in the 62nd minute. The midfielder took a shot after receiving the ball from Matti Steinmann but the shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. Steimann himself could have doubled the lead for SC East Bengal from the following corner but his effort was blocked by a Blasters player.
SC East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumder then pulled off a stunning save in the 71st minute. Blasters substitute Sahal Abdul Samad headed the ball to another substitute Jordan Murray who was in the box. Majumder managed to get a hand on Murray’s shot and deflected the ball out for a corner, keeping his side’s lead intact.
Robbie Fowler’s side had their hearts broken late into stoppage time as the Blasters managed to steal an equalizing goal. Sahal played a cross to the far post and onto the head of Jeakson who directed the ball into the back of the net. It was Jeakson’s first-ever Hero ISL goal. Both sides remained winless this season after the draw.
ISL Media Release