ISL 2018-19, Bengaluru FC 2-2 Kerala Blasters FC: 5 Talking Points

#3 Sunil Chhetri breaks frustrating duck in front of goal

Chhetri finally puts an end to the frustration (Photo: ISL)

Sunil Chhetri put an end to a frustrating seven-game goal drought with his late equalizer against the Kerala Blasters. The 34-year-old marksman, who is also the leading Indian goal-scorer in the ISL, had been on his longest run of games without a goal in the competition, since scoring the winner over FC Goa in late November.

For the entirety of the first half, Chhetri cut a frustrated figure on the flanks as the hosts played catch-up to a rejuvenated Kerala Blasters side that more than looked the part against the table-toppers.

However, the Indian skipper benefited from the changes enforced by Carles Cuadrat during the interval and conjured a sublime shift to play a part in both goals that helped Bengaluru FC salvage a point in the end.

Chhetri turned provider for Udanta Singh's goal that initiated the comeback when he leaped highest to provide a knock-down into his team-mate's path, following a pinpoint lobbed pass from Erik Paartalu.

The Bengaluru FC talisman would have his opportunity to break the duck in the 85th minute and he overpowered Mohamad Rakip to send an unstoppable header beyond Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, sending the home fans into delirium at the Kanteerava Stadium.