Last Updated: February 27, 2023, 06:50 IST
Kerala Blasters FC failed to complete the league section with the perfect dwelling document after dropping 1-0 to Hyderabad FC on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday in the final Indian Super League (ISL) recreation earlier than the playoffs. Borja Herrera scored the one aim of the match in the twenty ninth minute because the defending champions handed the Blasters their third consecutive loss.
In the opening ten minutes of the sport, Marko Leskovic was fast to dam Javier Siverio’s goal-bound shot from shut vary. However, the rebound fell to Joel Chianese who took an additional contact earlier than volleying it onto the crossbar.
Three minutes later, the hosts got here near drawing first blood when Adrian Luna noticed Vibin Mohanan lurking close to the sting of the field. The Uruguayan squared it from the left flank straight into his path, and he tried to curve it into the highest proper nook however noticed his effort fly huge.
In the twenty ninth minute, Borja Herrera put the guests in entrance. The transfer began with Sahil Tavora’s glorious run in the center third, the place he reduce into the midfield from the appropriate earlier than discovering Halicharan Narzary on the left. The winger pulled it again into the field the place Herrera managed to nestle the ball into the far put up with a first-time shot.
In the opening ten minutes of the second half, Kerala Blasters FC tried to string a few passes collectively and trigger issues for the Hyderabad FC defence. However, the attackers fluffed their strains in the ultimate third as a few possibilities went lacking and others had been handled by the guests’ defence.
A promising alternative offered itself to the Blasters when substitute Joao Victor introduced Luna down close to the sting of the field 4 minutes previous the hour-mark. The Uruguayan took it himself and launched it over the bar as Victor and his teammates heaved a enormous sigh of aid.
Four minutes from time two Hyderabad FC substitutes mixed nicely however couldn’t put the sport to mattress. Abdul Anjukandan whipped a handsome ball into the field and located an unmarked Aaren D’Silva proper in entrance of aim. The attacker did not preserve his header on the right track however Hyderabad FC held on to clinch all three factors and completed their league season with a tenth clear sheet.
The 2022-23 ISL league stage is now over and the main focus shifts to the playoffs the place each these groups might be in motion once more. After ending in second place, Hyderabad FC will straight characteristic in the two-legged semi-final on March 9 and 13 in opposition to both ATK Mohun Bagan or Odisha FC. Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC might be in motion in opposition to arch-rivals Bengaluru FC in the primary playoff recreation on March 3.
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