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Kerala Blasters and ATK played out an exciting 2-2 draw in Thursday's ISL encounter. The result means ATK finally put an end to their poor run and registered their first point in four games.
The draw, however, severely damaged Kerala's hopes for a spot in the top 4. David James' men tried their best but it just wasn't to be. On a night when they desperately needed a win, the Blasters failed to keep their calm at the back.
Here are the major talking points from tonight's clash.
#1 Both sides begin match on the offensive
Realising that nothing less than a win would do, Kerala Blasters started the game on a positive note, taking the game to ATK from minute one.
Courage Pekuson, CK Vineeth and Jackichand Singh were all involved in the thick of things as they attempted to slice open the home side early on.
Surprisingly, ATK did not back off as they went about going on the offence themselves. Jayesh Rane and Martin Paterson, time and again, tried their best to do some damage on the counter. It was an extremely open-ended start to the game with both teams playing end to end football from minute one. Neither team was willing to sit back and it made for a refreshing view.
#2 Good intentions, bad execution
One couldn't really fault Kerala Blasters or ATK tonight. They tried their best to unlock each other from the get-go and it made for an extremely intriguing match. Players from both sides looked confident when spraying the ball to all parts of the pitch.
On one end, Jackichand and Wes Brown were calm and collective in their approach. At the other end, Ryan Taylor looked majestic on the ball. It was a pity that neither team could make the most of their good intentions.
Their execution in the final third was far from impressive. Martin Paterson missed a glorious opportunity to put ATK in the lead in the first half. Forward, CK Vineeth struggled to involve himself in the game. Both sides showed promise and lacked the quality in the final third.
#3 Unlucky Jordi Montel once again concedes a goal
After scoring a spectacular own goal against Bengaluru FC last time around, tonight, ATK's captain once again found himself on the wrong end of things. Kerala forward, Gudjon Baldvinsson did well to rise above his marker to receive a quality cross by Prasanth K from the left wing.
The Icelandic forward's powerful header was intercepted by Jordi Montel. Unfortunately for him, his header found the back of his own net as he once again looked on in disbelief.
Technically speaking, the centre-back did nothing wrong. He was there at the right place and the right time. But as fate would have it, he experienced yet another embarrassing moment that he would love to forget soon.
#4 Kerala Blasters receive a dose of their own medicine
Football is an amazing leveller and it was proved tonight. If ATK felt undone by the heavy deflection which led to them conceding the first goal, they also experienced what it feels like to be at the other end of proceedings.
Barely minutes after Kerala Blasters took the lead, Ryan Taylor was rewarded for his attempt from long range. You can't win the lottery if you don't buy the ticket and Taylor won himself a bonus.
His shot from distance took a heavy deflection of Lalruatthara who attempted to block it. It took Subhasish Roy by surprise. Kerala's goalkeeper had already committed himself to the other side and could only watch the ball roll into the back of his own net.
#5 Are Kerala out of top 4 race?
After tonight's draw against ATK, Kerala Blasters now have 21 points from 15 games. They have three matches remaining and their pursuit of a spot in the top 4 seems well and truly out of bounds.
When Berbatov scored a sublime goal from distance to give his side the lead, Blasters coach, David James immediately asked his players to keep their calm realising that an equaliser could kill them off.
That is exactly what transpired. ATK defender, Tom Thorpe's well-taken header found the back of the net and virtually ended Kerala's dreams of a playoff spot. What could have been a hat-trick of wins ended in a 2-2 draw. A result that just will not cut it for CK Vineeth and co.
