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What's the story?
The wait was over at last as Kerala Blasters' fans saw Wes Brown wearing the yellow jersey for the first time in the 2017 ISL season. His entry against NorthEast United FC also saw Kerala Blasters get their first win of the season.
Indian football legend IM Vijayan hailed Brown's impact on the game. He said, "Fans and players were so eager to get this first win, now the team can get inspiration from the victory. The game changer was Wes Brown. The midfield against NorthEast United FC was better than what we saw in the first four games."
The background
Wes Brown, who had picked up an injury during a pre-season match against Gokulam FC, was not part of Kerala's first four matches.
The heart of the matter
CK Vineeth scored the crucial goal from a cross from Rino Antos to help Kerala Blasters procure a 1-0 win against NorthEast United FC. Vijayan said that even with Dimitar Berbatov playing in the midfield, the team could not plan the game until Wes Brown stepped up to fill the gap.
Also Read: Didn't expect Wes Brown to last 90 minutes, says Kerala Blasters coach Rene Meulensteen
According to Vijayan, Brown was brilliant at reading the opposition attack and stopping them from going near the Blasters' goal. He was also adept at intercepting the ball and launching quick counterattacks.
What's next?
Kerala Blasters are slated to play their next game against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Friday.
Author's take
Wes Brown is a player with a lot of experience and has handled multiple roles during his time in England. He is a leader at the back-line and can inspire players around him. With a fully fit Brown coming to the fore, we can expect Kerala Blasters to improve their performances on the field.
