🍬Currently possessing 24 points from 21 games, the Kerala Blasters need to win all of their remaining matches to stand a chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Follow the live football scores and updates of the Indian Super League 2024-25 match
🧸The final whistle is blown and the Blasters' miseries compound as they are held 1-1 by a resolute Jamshedpur in Kochi. The stalemate, precipitated by a disallowed Farooq goal and Drincic own goal, effectively knocks Kerala out of playoffs reckoning. They are ninth in the standings with 25 points from 22 games, while Jamshedpur, who have already qualified for the next stage, are third with 38 points.
🌳A torrid spell of four minutes undoes all the hard work done so far by the Kerala Blasters. First, Danish Farooq's goal is disallowed in the 82nd minute as the referee deems him to be offside; replays suggest he might have been marginally onside. To add insult to injury, Milos Drincic inadvertently puts the ball into his own net in the 86th, which brings the Red Miners to parity. Oh, the twists and turns of football.
A particularly clumsy challenge leads to a yellow card for Jamshedpur FC 💞defender Pratik Chaudhari in the 72nd minute. Meanwhile, winger Renthlei Lalthanmawia replaces Mohammed Aimen for the Kerala Blasters.
♉A couple of near-misses punctuate the start of the second half. Stephen Eze's well-directed header to a corner cross from Mobashir Rahman is saved competently by Kerala 'keeper Nora Fernandes in the 48th minute. Seconds later, the Blasters respond with a counter and Korou Singh assists Adrian Luna, whose right-footed shot is too high.
๊The first-half whistle blows with the scoreline in favour of the home team, though only by a slender one-goal lead. Jamshedpur earned a number of chances but could not make the most of any before the interval. They'll look to change that in the second half, while the Blasters will try to retain or better their lead in their flailing bid for a playoffs spot.
🦩The hosts have a goal against the run of play in the 35th minute to bring the sparse home crowd in Kochi to life. The talented young Korou Singh pounces on a stray ball following a fast break and headed assist from Dusan Lagator, and after a neat touch, slots in the shot past Jamshedpur goalie Albino Gomes. The Blasters go in front in the must-win clash.
🧸Jamshedpur suffer an injury blow early in the game, as defender Shubham Sarangi is affected and has to leave the pitch as a result. Nikhil Barla replaces him for the tourists in the 16th minute.
ܫA couple of corners for the Blasters in the first 10 minutes, but nothing comes of either of them. Jamshedpur defender Muhammad Uvais then barges into Aibanbha Dohling for a rash challenge, which leads to Uvais getting booked and Kerala getting a free kick. No harm done, though.
The hosts are attacking from right to left in the first half. When it comes to the qualification scenario for the ISL playoffs, Kerala Blasters 🃏are down but not entirely out. For them to advance, they need a number of results to go their way. But first and foremost, they must win all three remaining games. And that starts tonight.
🔥Kerala Blasters have not done too well in recent games, failing to score in their last two home matches. Their forwards and midfielders desperately need to bounce back tonight, if the team are to harbour any hopes of making the playoffs. A positive sign for them is the fact that Kochi-based team currently remain unbeaten at home against Jamshedpur FC (played five, won two and drawn three).
✤Here's how the two teams line up ahead of kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi:
🌳The two sides have locked horns 17 times, with Kerala Blasters winning five games and Jamshedpur FC emerging victorious four times. Eight encounters have produced draws.
♔The Indian Super League match will kick off at 7:30pm IST, and can be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in India. It will be live telecast on the Asianet Plus, Sports 18 Khel and Star Sports 3 TV channels in India.