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Delhi Dynamos clinched an 84th-minute equalizer through Andrija Kaludjerovic to neutralize the 48th-minute strike of CK Vineeth to end the game 1-1. Kerala Blasters looked lacklustre in the first half with Delhi enjoying better possession. Kerala came out rejuvenated in the second half to take the lead and dictate proceedings, only to concede a late goal in the dying moments of the game.
The game also had a controversial moment in the injury time when Pritam Kotal had taken down CK Vineeth in the penalty box. But the referee had seen no foul and Delhi Dynamos went up the ISL league table to 8th position with 2 points while Kerala went to the second position with 5 points.
Here are the major talking points from the game.
#1 Flawed first half for Kerala as David James experimented with his players
![David James shouting instructions from the touchline [Image: ISL]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/eed9b-15400926978836-800.jpg)
David James once again opened the game with just 3 foreigners, handing out starts to the young Indian brigade. Naveen Kumar got his start in place of Dheeraj Singh and CK Vineeth started as the striker in place of Matej Poplatnik. The decision to keep Poplatnik out of the first half was baffling and Vineeth alone could not trouble the Delhi defense much in the first half with lack of service.
Kerala was completely outplayed in the first half of the game with Delhi Dynamos wingers launching numerous attacks. The questionable decision of David James to keep back Poplatnik and Kizito Keziron can be explained in terms of experimentation to see how things fare up when the squad is mixed up. James himself understood the predicament of the first half and did bring in Poplatnik as early in the second half (48th minute) and the game changed.
Going forward, we can be sure to see more rejigging by James in the opening phase of the ISL 2018-19.
#2 Lallianzuala Chhangte and the wing attacks of Delhi Dynamos
![Chhangte (right) won the emerging player of the game award [Image: ISL]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/3c105-15400931102301-800.jpg)
Both Kerala and Delhi relies heavily on their wingers. While Lallianzuala Chhangte was prolific on the day showing how good he is with the ball control and sheer pace, Narzary and Doungel were found wanting in the first half for Kerala. The wingers for Kerala had successful games against ATK and Mumbai City FC, but Delhi did make them look ineffective.
It was a refreshing sight to see Chhangte beat Rakip multiple times and even Jhingan on a few occasions. Though the second half of the game did not see Chhangte influencing the game much, Chhangte had given Delhi enough quality crosses into the box. The lack of quality for Delhi Dynamos inside the final third seems to be the Achilles heel of them this year and the multiple chances which Delhi got in the first half of the game was never converted.
Chhangte ended up winning ISL Emerging Player of the Match award and it was quite a deserving one at that.
#3 Sandesh Jhingan and the equalizer for Delhi Dynamos
![Andrija Kaludjerovic scores the equalizer for Delhi [Image: ISL]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b6c8e-15400936222850-800.jpg)
After Kerala scored the 48th-minute goal through Vineeth, it looked like Kerala would sail through comfortably with Jhingan standing tall to any attacks on the Kerala post. It was quite a sight to see the Indian team captain proving how good he is on the backline.
But the story turned in a matter of seconds when Jhingan had a cramp and the game went on. Quite effortlessly the Delhi striker who had minimal impact on the game till that point of time, headed the ball past Naveen Kumar to draw the game for Delhi.
Kerala just did not have a plan B to defend when Jhingan was down. This raises multiple questions: Is it time that another lively defender in Anas Edathodika starts with Jhingan? Or is it time to see Cyril Kali on the field in place of Lakic Pesic. Granted that it might be a tough call on Pesic, but the seconds when Jhingan was unavailable did cost Kerala 2 points.
Moreover, another question that is raised is why didn't Jhingan opt to stay down before itself to sort out the cramp. There were moments earlier, much before the equalizer was scored when Jhingan was feeling uneasiness around his legs. Shouldn't he have stayed down to get treated for the cramp considering the fact that Kerala was in the lead and only needed to kill time? Might not be an ethical way to play the game, but could have been effective.
#4 Is Kerala making it a habit of conceding late goals?
![Andrija Kaludjerovic celebrates after scoring the equalizer against Kerala Blasters [Image: ISL]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/55eb7-15400939335472-800.jpg)
Kerala Blasters were cruising comfortably towards a win when Pranjal Bhumij dropped that bomb on Kerala in the injury time in the last game against Mumbai City FC. Once again, Kerala Blasters had the game under control and looked like they could take 3 points to top the league table. But the 84th-minute strike by Andrija Kaludjerovic denied Kerala the top position in the league table.
In these last 2 games where Kerala drew with the opposition, one can say that Kerala lost 4 points. These points could become extremely crucial going forward in the long season. No one knows that better than David James. The reaction of James when Kerala was denied a penalty later on explained what was going on in his mind.
Kerala had a reputation last year of scoring late goal winners with CK Vineeth being well known for that. Now, have the tables turned? Kerala needs to stop choking in the final moments of the game going forward in the league.
#5 The man for Kerala: CK Vineeth
![CK Vineeth was the Hero of the Match award [Image: ISL]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/30721-15400942302898-800.jpg)
CK Vineeth started for Kerala for the first time in ISL 2018-19. The second half had Matej Poplatnik replacing Narzary and Vineeth playing in the wings with Poplatnik as the striker. One can argue that the move had instant impact as Kerala found the back of the net within minutes of that change.
Time and time again Vineeth has shown how dedicated he is to the job at hand for Kerala. With the goal that he netted on the day, Vineeth has equalled the record of Iain Hume as the top scorer for Kerala Blasters with 10 goals.
He nearly handed his team the winner with that late surge of pace to beat the Indian National team defender Pritam Kotal, only for the Delhi captain to put out a reckless challenge inside the Penalty box to bring Vineeth down. Much to the dismay of Kerala fans, Referee Tejas Nagvenkar waived it away. Television replays told another story, though.
CK Vineeth was surely the Hero of the Match.
