Kerala Blasters FC vs East Bengal FC: A thrilling ISL 2024-25 comeback sees Kerala triumph 2-1 at home. Vishnu scores, but East Bengal falter under pressure.
Kerala Blasters FC sent East Bengal FC down with a thrilling comeback victory in the ongoing Indian Super League on Tuesday.
In a match replete with action and only one arresting moment which altered the course of the entire match, Kerala Blasters FC, with Travelling Head Coach David James guiding them, delivered a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, much to the delight of the fans who had been along with the home team all through.
East Bengal FC and head coach Carles Cuadrat will have many questions to answer as they suffered a dramatic loss by three points with just minutes left on the clock.
It was quite evident from the start that East Bengal were still to go gaga for each other. The team lacked unity, with little to no combination play and a visible lack of confidence among the players. A few moments of promise towards the end of the half soon dissipated into nothingness as East Bengal failed to take hold of the match, much to the disappointment of its fans.
The game was tactically so disjointed by Carles Cuadrat, and no game plan could be seen. The Red and Gold Brigade looked vulnerable in midfield and their defence like brittle glass.
Vishnu PV's Spark for East Bengal
East Bengal started the second half on a bright note as Vishnu PV came into the field at 57', replacing Naorem Mahesh Singh. He put them immediately on the move. To his first touch of the match in the 59th minute, Vishnu scored after coming on just two minutes ago. Crucially in that moment, East Bengal took a crucial lead. Momentarily it looked like the going was much easier for East Bengal as it seemed to be going all the way for its first win of the season.
Comeback by Kerala Blasters
The gaiety was short-lived, however, for East Bengal fans, though, as Kerala Blasters equalized through Noah Sadaoui's strike in the 63rd minute. This again was off poor defensive organization by East Bengal. The equalizer spurred Kerala Blasters into life from then on and applied relentless pressure on East Bengal's defense.
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As the time was running out, the tension in Kochi was building. The goal that came on the 88th minute sealed the dramatic come-from-behind win through the effort of Kwame Peprah, which made the home fans erupt with joy. Once again, it was a vital goal that dealt victory to Kerala, leaving East Bengal frustrated with defeat.
For Kerala Blasters, this was much needed after they lost their opening day clash against Punjab FC. Their head coach Mikael Stahre must be delighted with his side showing resilience as well as fighting intent to come back from behind; especially when players such as Noah Sadaoui were outstanding in the turnaround as they composed themselves and showed the needed skills when required.
The Blasters now seem to be gaining momentum with this victory as they look to carry on this performance till the end of the season.
East Bengal Continues on Its continues looses
For East Bengal FC, it is now the third defeat in a row and a third straight loss since being sent packing from the Durand Cup by Shillong Lajong FC. For much of the game, the team played on the back foot, but that second half saw them show near abjectness in the middle of the field-creativity was missing-and defence crumbled under the onslaught of Kerala Blasters.
There is much rethinking for coach Carles Cuadrat if this team is to get his act together and regain confidence.
Lack of organisation, poor finishing and tactical indecision have put East Bengal in trouble so early in the season.
The going is going to be tough for Cuadrat and his team in the immediate few games as they try to wrest back momentum.
