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Kerala Blasters FC played an exciting 2-2 draw against ATK Mohun Bagan at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco. Adrian Luna’s brace and a goal each from David Williams and Joni Kauko gave both teams a point.
The Kerala Blasters made two changes to the final eleven as Marko and Khabra returned after their suspensions and fielded the usual 4-4-2 formation. Both the teams had a good start to the game as the ball kept on moving from one half of the pitch to the other. Six minutes into the game, Carl McHugh made contact with Sahal Abul Samad outside the box and the referee blew the whistle for a free-kick. Adrian Luna, who looked confident to take the free-kick from that promising spot, literally produced an outstanding effort with accuracy and technique to hand Kerala Blasters the lead. But, ATK Mohun Bagan equalized from the very next movement through David Williams. Pritam Kotal’s pass from the right flank was perfect for the Australian to make a flick and score.
After those early goals, both teams slowed the game down a bit. But chances were created at both ends. Jorge Diaz, who continuously pressurized the opposite defence, got a golden opportunity to regain the lead for Kerala Blasters, but Amrinder Singh saved the attempt and the ball went for a corner. In the 37th minute, after setting up an attack from a corner, Puitea tried his luck with a powerful strike inside the box from an acute angle, but once again Amrinder saved ATK Mohun Bagan.
First real attack in the second half fell for the Blasters. Jorge Diaz cleverly took on the defender coming towards him and went for goal, but the goalkeeper somehow got a hand to it. It was the Argentine again, who got the second chance in the second-half and produced a shot which was saved by Amrinder to send the ball for a corner. Luna delivered the set-piece and stood in a good position, and after two/three passes the ball came for him. Once again, the Uruguayan wizard hit the goal with accuracy and technique and Kerala Blasters took the lead in the game for the second time.
Kerala Blasters tried to defend the lead and attacked whenever a chance opened up. ATK Mohun Bagan created near goal chances but the men in yellow defended their flurry of attacks as a team. In the stoppage time, Alvaro received a ball from middle of the pitch and he carried it till the ATK Mohun Bagan box, gave the pass to Vincy Barretto who has been running with the Spaniard. Amrinder was totally beaten by that move, but Vincy’s attempt on goal hit the post and came back.
Prabir Das received a red card for his furious reaction and attempt to injure Luna, after a coming together between the two. With seconds to go for the final whistle, ATK Mohun Bagan broke Kerala Blasters’ heart through Joni Kauko’s goal from outside the box. Gill got a hand to the ball but his efforts weren’t enough to deny the goal. Following the goal, the referee pulled out two red cards for the antics in the dugout for Jorge Diaz and ATK Mohun Bagan assistant coach Bastab Roy.
Kerala Blasters remains in fourth position, with 27 points from 16 games. Kerala Blasters will be in action again on 23 February against table-toppers Hyderabad FC.
