Half Time Report: Battle of equals as Blasters and Dynamos defences cancel each one's attacks

Starting Line-Ups: 

Kerala Blasters FC - Stephen Bywater, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Peter Ramage, Marcus Williams, C.K. Vineeth, Cavin Lobo, Pulga, Carlos Marchena, Chris Dagnall, Manandeep Singh

Delhi Dynamos FC - Toni Doblas, Souvik Chakraborty, Anas Edathodika, John Arne Riise, Zodingliana Ralte, Francis Fernandes, Chicao, Hans Mulder, Gustavo Marmentini, Robin Singh, Florent Malouda

Two quality defences stood strong and cancelled each others' attacking forces out in a true game of equals in Kochi, as Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos finished the first half at a 0-0 deadlock.

Peter Taylor made all-out changes to his starting line-up, switching 7 faces from the eleven that started against Atletico de Kolkata, a match they lost. National duty returnees Sandesh Jhingan and Cavin Lobo got in on the act, as did the now-healed marquee Carlos Marchena. Because Marchena replaced Saumik Dey, Manandeep was given a start up front instead of Sanchez Watt in order to maintain the 6-5 foreigner-Indian ratio.

Delhi Dynamos, as expected, kept most of the squad that started against Pune City, only benching Shylo Mama in favour of Francis Fernandes.

After a first minute chance for Cavin Lobo that Doblas stood tall against and a second minute attempt from Gustavo that Bywater managed to block, the match soon became a duel of the defences. Both sides boasting accomplished defenders were unwilling to leave an inch in their own half to the opponent. The sides had near equal possession and similar numbers of chances but neither team could force open the tightly guarded path to the goal. 

Early on there was a nasty foul by Riise on Dagnall that left the Kerala striker bloody, but he got a bandage and carried on. Delhi coach Roberto Carlos tried to apply extra force by substituting Zodingliana Ralte for Sehnaj Singh a mere 18 minutes into the match but it it didn't help all that much.

Vineeth made a good pass to Manandeep half an hour into the game but the latter's shot was slow and too straight and Toni Doblas easily got to it. Then there was a moment of pressure in the Kerala box as Malouda shot at the goal twice, and Ramage cleared them both with his head.

Soon after Malouda sent a great through ball to Robin Singh, but the Bengaluru FC striker's first touch was poor and Bywater charged at him to succesfully clear the ball. It was the best chance that Delhi had in the half.

Then it was Kerala's turn to miss a close one. Pulga's free kick hit Robin Singh, then fell to Jhingan who got himself in a position to shoot but his delivery went off target. And thus it remained 0-0 at the end of the first half.

Both teams will be happy with the defensive performance they have put up so far and both will be disappointed with their respective forward lines. Some introduced up front in the second half may win this game for either team. Peter Taylor has an obvious choice in Sanchez Watt sitting on the bench. Delhi shoud look to get Richard Gadze or Adil Nabi into the game because Robin Singh has not been up to the mark tonight. It will be interesting to see which coach dares to tinker with his strategy first and turn the screws instead of playing it safe.