Kerala Blasters 1 – 0 FC Pune City

Iain Hume 23’

Kerala Blasters beat FC Pune City 1-0 thanks to a goal from Iain Hume to qualify for the Semi-finals of Indian Super League and also knocked FC Pune City out of the competition.

Kerala Blasters have 19 points and sit at third position for now with Atletico de Kolkata who are one point behind them have a game remaining and play FC Goa tomorrow.

Kerala Blasters made two changes coming into the match as Sandesh Jingham and Gusmao came in for Nirmal Chettri and Penn Orji. FC Pune City also made two changes as Manish Maithani and Saidou Mady included in the line-up replacing Lenny Rodrigues and Park Kwang-il.

Kerala Blasters made their first attack with Pedro Gusmao cutting in from the left and trying his luck but his shot is deflected over the goal.

Iain Hume won a free-kick in 23rd minute and takes it himself to give Kerala Blasters the lead.He curls his effort around the wall and sees it nestle into the net. Arindam dives in full length to his left to gets fingertips to it but fails to stop it and the ball lands in the bottom right corner.

Pune City pushed hard but were unable to find the breakthrough as Kerala Blasters content with keeping possession after the goal. They made Pune work hard to get the ball and weresetting the pace.

Iain Hume’s free-kick has put Kerala Blasters into the lead. Pune City have been on top for most of the game and created more opportunities but were unable to open the scoring. Kerala Blasters have put pressure on the visitors by scoring in the 23rd min itself.

Kerala Blasters made early second half substitution as Andrew Barisic came in for Pedro Gusmao. Pune City brought in David Trezeguet for Mady Panandétiguiri in the 57th minute.

Iain Hume once again walks through Pune defence after he beats a defender and shoots but Arindam stands his ground and denies the Canadian a second goal. Few minutes later Pearson had space outside the box but his shot was going wide and Arindam does not want to take any chances and palms it further away. Nirmal Chettri came in for an injured Sandip Jhingan who suffered from cramps in the 63rd minute.

Gurwinder Singh of Kerala Blasters nearly scored an own goal in the 69th minute, who misjudged a failed clearance and watches the ball hit his shin and go whiskers away from goal.

David James had been sent off to the stands by the referee after his reaction to Cirillo’s yellow card when Cirillo put in a bad tackle on Chopra to earn a booking.

Sandip Nandy made some fantastic saves in the end when just few minutes were remaining in the game to not give the equalizer to Pune City.

With Kerala Blasters qualified, the chances for Delhi Dynamos are now low to qualify. Delhi Dynamos will qualify only if Atletico de Kolkata lose with more than one goal tomorrow against FC Goa. NorthEast United are already out of the competition and Mumbai City can qualify only if Atletico de Kolkata lose and Mumbai need to beat NorthEast United with more than 11 goals. Chennaiyin FC stay at the top of the table, but the game between FC Goa and Atletico de Kolkata decides the table toppers as FC Goa are now two points behind Chennaiyin FC.

STATS:

KERALA BLASTERS		FC PUNE CITY
44%	Possession	56%
5	Shots On Target	16
1	Offsides	8
2	Corners	11
9	Fouls	7
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0