It was a game of two halves when Kerala Blasters went up against SC East Bengal in the Indian Super League. Both sides shared the spoils. Jeakson Singh became the party spoiler for the Red and Golds who were looking all set to enjoy their maiden win the ISL. SC East Bengal started with a bang. They controlled possession and created a lot of chances with their fluid movement in the final third.
They were keen on involving Anthony Pilkington, Jacques Maghoma and Mohammed Rafique. That really worked well for them right through the match. They even got their goal from Rafique’s whipped low cross. The cross, which was intended for Pilkington was touched home by Blaster centre back Bakary Kone to hand the Red and Golds the early lead. Robbie Fowler’s men from there kept up the tempo and created a handful of chances but the finishing was all over the place.
In the second half, Kibu Vicuna’s Kerala Blaster came back with a response as they started pressing high up the field and held possession and created openings. If not for Debjit Majumder in goal the Blasters could have scored more than once in this game. However, a late corner with a wayward delivery found Sahal Abdul Samad who whipped it into the box again to find Jeakson who headed it home past Debjit to salvage a point.
Here are the talking points of the game-
Anthony Pilkington looks more comfortable as a Number 9
The former Norwich City winger was played in the wide attacking midfielder role in earlier matches where he laid passes for several Indian forward in CK Vineeth, Balwant Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua. However, all of them have struggled to get going. Therefore Fowler decided to take a different route. He pushed Pilkington up the field and it worked wonders.
The former Irish international was exceptional with his movements in the final third. He not only became a goalscoring threat. However, he also brought players like Rafique, Maghoma and Matti Steinmann into the game. The goal that happened in the first half was due to Pilkington’s movement. He also received the man of the match. So it is definitely a tactic which Fowler would like to rethink in future games.
Gary Hooper not up to the mark till now for Kerala Blasters
The forward who used to partner Pilkington during their days at Norwich City, Gary Hooper had a totally contrasting game in comparison to his former teammate. Hooper who is known for his exceptional spells at Celtic, Norwich etc has struggled in the ISL. The prolific Englishman has only scored once this season. That too in a total of seven matches, his only goal has been a spot-kick.
Hooper’s movements have not been anything to talk about and he often looks lost alone in the final third. The supply line has been an issue for Kerala Blasters that is true but even Australian forward Jordan Murray had more impact after replacing him in the second half. Hooper will have to pull up his socks in the coming matches otherwise his future looks very gloomy.
Can this be the rise of Sahal Abdul Samad this season for Kerala Blasters?
The highly-rated India international is often criticised for being too much flashy. He has not been much effective like his compatriots, Brandon Fernandes and Anirudh Thapa. However, after the early setbacks and a few injury concerns, Sahal did put in a shift for the Blasters against SC East Bengal. The goal which they scored came from his cross. Even the corner was forced from his shot which got deflected.
Hopefully, the 23-year old midfielder can come back to the starting eleven. He can also provide Kibu with the creative supply that is needed in this team for the forwards to score goals. Sahal on his day can torment past any defence with his silky footwork. He can also simply pick a pass/cross to find his teammates in the box. Both Sahal and Kibu will hope that he can keep up with this form in the coming matches.
