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In the final league match of the Indian Super League – Season 3, the Kerala Blasters defeated NorthEast United FC 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi and qualified as the last team for the knockout semifinals.
The home side had the first chance of the match early on through Duckens Nazon, but his attempt from the left was blocked by T.P. Rehenesh in the NorthEast United FC goal and thereafter the guests had the better chances through Seityasen Singh and Romaric. At the break it was goalless.
At the start of the second session NorthEast United FC continued to have the better chances with keeper Graham Stack denying striker Emiliano Alfaro twice within a minute around the hour mark. The Blasters looked to living dangerously until the 66th minute, when winger C.K. Vineeth once more showed his great form and quality as he cut in from the left and placed the ball into the far corner of the net. The stadium erupted in joy as the Blasters now had a massive advantage with NorthEast United now needing two goals to leapfrog past the home side.
And the Highlanders now had to risk more, which gave counter attacking opportunities to the Blasters. First it was Kervens Belfort, then substitute Antonio German before Vineeth all tested Rehenesh in goal, but he was up to the task and kept his team in the game.
At the other end centre back Mailson first headed over and then headed straight into the arms of Stack before Alfaro hit the post. Only three minutes from time Mohammed Rafi’s header was put onto the crossbar by Rehenesh, who was outstanding in the latter stages of the match, but it wasn’t enough as the Kerala Blasters won the match 1-0, a record fifth home win in a row, and they moved into the semifinals of ISL-3, where they will now face the Delhi Dynamos.
Match Awards
Club award: Kerala Blasters FC
Amul Fittest Player of the Match: Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters FC)
DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Mohammed Rafi (Kerala Blasters FC)
Maruti Suzuki Swift Moment of the Match: T.P. Rehenesh (NorthEast United FC)
ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Seityasen Singh (NorthEast United FC)
Hero of the Match: C.K. Vineeth (Kerala Blasters FC)
