In the Indian Super League match between Kerala Blasters and FC Pune City at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, the home side came out victorious 2-1 in a must-win game as they kept their semi-final hopes alive.
With the loss, Pune's chances to qualify for the semi-finals have all but diminished. They will have to win their final game and hope that other teams above them lose. Kerala, on the other hand, were boosted by their home support and moved to the third spot on the table with two matches in hand.
Here are the player ratings for this match:
Kerala Blasters (4-2-3-1):
Sandip Nandy (Goalkeeper): 7.5/10
Nandy did not have much to do most of the game. He made a few good saves in the last minutes of the game but could not keep out a powerful free kick in injury time.
Sandesh Jhingan: 7/10
Jhinghan gave away the free kick that led to Pune's goal. Barring that, he made some vital tackles to keep out the Pune forwards.
Cedric Hengbart: 7/10
The French defender had a decent game at centre-back as he made some last-ditch tackles and won key aerial battles.
Aaron Hughes: 8.5/10
Hughes scored the second goal for Kerala which turned out to be the winning goal for the home side. He also kept things tight at the back and marshalled his troops in defence.
Josu Currais: 7.5/10
Josu seems to have made the left-back position his own as he put in another good performance. He was disciplined at the back and was heavily involved in attacks as well.
Mehtab Hossain: 7/10
Hossain played well in the deep role in midfield and was the main source of attacks for Kerala from the defensive midfield position.
Azrack Mahamat: 7/10
Mahamat was an able partner in the defensive midfield position along with Hossain as he helped in breaking down Pune attacks.
CK Vineeth: 7.5/10
Vineeth provided the cross for Hughes’ goal. He was a constant threat in attack through the left flank. However, he scuffed a few chances to get on the score-sheet.
Duckens Nazon: 8/10
The Haitian opened the scoring for Kerala as he showed great pace and power to slot the ball past Edel Bete. Nazon was taken off in the 55th minute.
Kervens Belfort: 7/10
Belfort was good as part of the attacking midfield trio. His speed was put to full use in Kerala's counter attacks and created a few chances for his teammates.
Mohammad Rafi: 6/10
Rafi did not have a great game as he missed a few good opportunities and his decision-making in the final third was below par.
Substitutes:
Antonio German: 6.5/10
German came on for Nazon in the 55th minute and was involved in many of the home side's attacks.
Ishfaq Ahmed: 6/10
Ahmed was brought on for Rafi as a tactical measure in order to keep Kerala's lead. He did well in the defensive third as he tracked back to make some tackles.
Didier Kadio: NA
Kadio played only for 15 minutes and had little time to make much impact.
Pune City
Edel Bete (Goalkeeper): 5/10
Bete was unimpressive for much of the game. Barring a few saves, the keeper failed to contribute much. Bete could have done better to stop Kerala's second goal.
Rahul Bheke: 6.5/10
The former Kerala Blasters’ player was one of the few good players for Pune as he put in a decent shift against the marauding Vineeth.
Dharmaraj Ravanan: 6/10
Ravanan was at fault for the first Kerala goal as his attempt to stop the ball ended up in setting Nazon up for the goal.
Gouramangi Singh: 6/10
The veteran Indian defender was average at the back for Pune and was at the end of many probing attacks from the Blasters.
Narayan Das: 5/10
The Pune defender was not able to keep out the Kerala attack on the right wing. Das did not make much contribution in attack too.
Jonatan Lucca: 5.5/10
Lucca, who has the highest number of assists this season, was not able to create much for the Pune side and was taken off in the 72nd minute.
Momo Sissoko: 5.5/10
Sissoko failed to cut out attacks from Kerala in his defensive midfield position and was also unable to add anything much to his team's attacks.
Arata Izumi: 6/10
Izumi had a golden chance to equalise in the first half but failed to hit the target. The midfielder was not able to create much for his teammates.
Pitu: 6.5/10
The Spaniard had a fairly decent game and laid off the goal that was scored by Anibal in injury time.
Gustavo Oberman: 5.5/10
Oberman had an average first-half and was taken off during the half-time break following an injury.
Anibal Zurdo: 7/10
Anibal scored a consolation goal for Pune in stoppage time with a powerful shot from just outside the box. However, it turned out to be too late.
Substitutes:
Momar Ndoye: 6/10
Ndoye came on for Oberman in the second half and was more lively on the left flank for Pune. But, his final ball was not good enough.
Sanju Pradhan: 6/10
Pradhan was introduced as a tactical change for left-back, Das. But, in the half-an-hour he was on the pitch, Pradhan was unable to create much for his side.
Dramane Traore: NA
Traore came on as a substitute for Lucca in the last 15 minutes and had little time to make any difference.
