The Kerala Blasters have kept their playoff hopes alive after collecting 3 points in their 1-0 win over NorthEast United at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Saturday.
After this win, last year’s runners-up held on to the 5th spot with 24 points from 16 matches, one adrift of Jamshedpur FC, who are the 5th position with 25 points. By scoring in their 13th consecutive game, they became the team with the longest scoring run in Indian Super League.
Defender Wes Brown scored his maiden ISL goal in the 28th minute after he headed the ball into the back of the net from Jackichand Singh’s corner. The home favourites couldn’t find an equaliser despite making some credible efforts in the field.
After the match Blasters coach David James said whilst pleased his team got the result he felt they could have done better.
“I think what was nice to see was NorthEast giving everything and we had to work hard. It’s not the best we have played this season by a long stretch. We have played better and lost. But in football, it’s the result that counts. Tonight, was one of those performances where we were happy with the win and not overly happy with the performance,” James said.
The 47 year-old was happy after the match that his men kept a clean sheet and that his full squad remains fit. “We were in for a very tough game and I expected us to concede a goal as well as expected us to score. So, to get a clean sheet is fantastic. Obviously a 0–0 would not work. So, it was good we made a lot of changes. I had a full squad to choose from, which is the first time it has happened since I was here.”
Northeast will face Mumbai City FC on February 22, while Kerala takes on Chennaiyin FC on February 23.
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