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Courage Pekuson missed a penalty on the night when Kerala Blasters were desperate to register a victory over Chennaiyin FC to remain in contention for ISL playoffs. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, a result which has all but ended Kerala's hopes of progressing any further in the tournament while Chennaiyin went back home as the happier of the two teams.
The Blasters remained rooted to the fifth position on the table with 25 points from 17 games, which means they can only finish fourth as the third-placed Chennaiyin moved to 29 points from same number of fixtures and now they can't be overtaken by Kerala.
A victory in the last match is not the only thing which would help Kerala seize the fourth spot as results involving Jamshedpur FC, Mumbai City and FC Goa should go their way, which looks highly unlikely.
Let's take a look at the talking points from the game:
#1 Kerala Blasters hound Chennaiyin FC with flurry of attacks
Needing a win at any cost, Kerala launched waves of attacks on the Chennaiyin goal right from the word ‘go’. Jackichand Singh, Courage Pekuson and Gudjon Baldvinsson had their shots saved by a valiant Karanjit Singh, adding to the frustration of the home fans.
However, the only time when the Chennaiyin custodian was beaten in the first half, the goal post came to his rescue. Collecting a pass from Dimitar Berbatov, striker CK Vineeth unleashed a smashing shot from outside the box which evaded Karanjit’s full stretch dive but struck the upright as the scoreline remained nil-nil at the end of the first half.
#2 Jeje misses a sitter
Chennaiyin were well and truly outplayed in the first half as neither were they able to keep the possession of the ball nor did they look threatening in the attacking third. Having said that, the visitors could have ended the first 45 minutes with a 1-0 lead but Jeje Lalpekhlua failed to convert an easy opportunity.
Rene Mihelic’s crafty pass had taken three Kerala defenders out of the equation and the ball fell to Jeje who had goalkeeper Paul Rachubka at his mercy but he pulled his shot wide, across the face of the goal. Chennaiyin coach John Gregory couldn’t believe what he was saying and didn’t hold back his emotions.
#3 Pekuson shows courage but misses penalty
Baldvinsson should be credited for earning a penalty for Kerala Blasters in the 52nd minute. Chennaiyin defenders Henrique Sereno and Jerry Lalrinzuala failed to track the Icelandic international footballer's run into the box and the latter fouled him before he could get a shot on goal. Referee was quick to award a spot kick.
Up stepped Courage Pekuson, aiming to hand a vital lead to the hosts which would keep them in the playoff race. But his shot was too weak and Karanjit had no problem saving it with a dive to his right. That was a big chance, one which Pekuson would be ruing for the rest of his life.
#4 Vineeth’s big blunder
The striker who has been one of Kerala’s most impressive players in the last few seasons faltered on the big night. Yes, Vineeth might argue that his well-taken shot had hit the upright in the first half, but he would like to forget the chance which he missed in the second.
Baldvinsson managed to get power behind a shot which was parried away by Karanjit only for the ball to fall at the feet of Vineeth who was 6 yards away from the goal line. But he couldn’t adjust his feet quickly and didn’t even manage to get a shot on goal before the ball was cleared. Nine out of ten times he would have dispatched it to the back of the net but this was not his night.
#5 Karanjit Singh: The saviour
The experienced Indian goalkeeper may not have had a superlative ISL season but he decided to single-handedly deny Kerala Blasters a strike which would have given them three vital points.
Apart from saving Pekuson’s penalty, Karanjit denied Kerala on six other occasions when the hosts had managed to registered shots on goal. All of those efforts could have ended up at the back of the net.
Karanjit was rightly adjudged the man of the match because, on a day when the Chennaiyin forwards did little to impress their coach, Karanjit took up the responsibility to earn them one point.
