Play-by-Play: Vineeth veers the Blasters to victory over Chennaiyin in spectacular late turnaround

A SPECTACULAR TURNAROUND of epic proportions, fuelled by a local hero, led to a fairytale victory for Kerala Blasters tonight as they came back from behind to claim a 3-1 win over Chennaiyin FC.

In the first half it was the visitors who started with the clear advantage with their attacking superiority over KBFC being obvious from minute one. They were creating more chances, and got their goal just after the 20 minute mark when KBFC striker Michael Chopra lost the ball, allowing Chennai to run a counter up the left flank. Bernard Mendy ran into the Kerala box and took the shot, under pressure from multiple defenders. The ball got deflected off Kerala defender Cedric Hengbart's outstretched foot and went out of keeper Graham Stack's reach, going straight into the net. Chennai went into the half-time break with the lead, and a comfortable on-field dominance intact.

But early in the second half it became clear that Kerala Blasters had come back with a plan. Their early substitution had seen Antonio German come on and he was in good touch, while at the break head coach Steve Coppell decided to replace Michael Chopra with Didier Kadio. This resulted in a much more smoothly operating attack. 

And it was the substitute, Didier Kadio, who eventually scored. And Antonio German who created it with a crafty angular run into the penalty box. He came under pressure from a defender and the keeper Kerr and managed to find Kadio who was completely unmarked at goalmouth. It was an easy finish for the latter and suddenly KBFC were back in the game.

CK Vineeth, the Bengaluru FC player who had delivered KBFC a late winner in the previous game, was also playing much better in the second half, now entrusted with a more free role. And late in the game, as Josue Currais sent a ball into the box that Kerr tried to collect but spilled, Vineeth was at the right place to knock it into the net, giving Kerala the towards the very end of the game once again.

The icing on the cake came only a few minutes later when Antonio German sent a peach of a pass to Vineeth who had lots of space ahead and obliged by sprinting ahead and putting the ball past Kerr, sealing a 3-1 victory for KBFC.

This is only the second time that Kerala have beaten Chennai. And this result may prove to be a crucial one in the campaign. Kerala Blasters, with a second CK Vineeth late goal induced win on the trot, have ascended to the second place in the points table with 15 points from 10 games. Chennaiyin FC, meanwhile, are languishing at the 7th spot with 10 points from 9 games. The defending champions' chances of making it into the top four, while not inconceivable, look increasingly bleak after 5 matches without a win. 

The thousands of masks of a smiling Zidane in the stands, brought out to mock Chennaiyin coach Materazzi, beamed down as the visitors left the pitch looking devastated with the result.

You can re-live the entire match through our blow-by-blow real time updates of the encounter...