KOCHI: Victory dance done, Kerala Blasters FC skipper Aaron Hughes lifted CK Vineeth up in glee. The attacker is proving to be the Blasters’ go-to man this ISL. Even as Haiti duo Kervens Belfort and Duckens Nazon went about waving their national flag, Vineeth soon joined Mohammad Rafi to go around acknowledging the fans. It was the latter’s cross-field pass that set up Vineeth to side step a couple of NorthEast United FC defenders and place a low shot into the far corner.
Vineeth’s fifth goal in six games, other than powering the hosts into the semifinals, also catapulted KBFC to second spot, just a point behind leaders Mumbai City FC. And they earned the right to meet Delhi Dynamos FC in the second semifinal, with the advantage of playing the first leg — slated for December 11 — in their home fortress.
As decisive as Vineeth’s right-footer was, the win was also down to some astute decision-making from coach Steve Coppell. At half-time, the manager was deep in thought as he disappeared into the tunnel, head down and a hand in pocket. His team had done what they primarily needed to — shut out NorthEast. But the seal was still to be put on the final playoff spot. It was still anybody’s game at a jam-packed Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.
As with most matches of a knockout hue in modern football, it was proving to be a cagey affair, with little tactical battles strewn in within the larger battle for the all important points from the final league match. The Blasters, needing a draw to progress, tried to pack their midfield with five men. Belfort, Rafi and Vineeth dropped deep as often as possible to support the central midfield duo of Azrack Mahamat and Ishfaq Ahmed, leaving Nazon upfront. The four-man defence kept a fairly high line, often catching forwards off-side.
The NorthEast midfield trio of Romaric, Wellington Priori and Rowllin Borges were often outnumbered and appeared lost for ideas. But on the visitors’ right wing, Seityasen Singh was making mincemeat of Rino Anto, who was standing in for an injured Josue Prieto at left back. The pint-sized winger repeatedly broke clear with his mazy runs. Coppell couldn’t have missed the danger, and 35 minutes into the match, immediately after Rino had conceded a free-kick, Sandesh Jhingan was shifted in as left back and Rino took up the right-back slot. It was not to be Rino’s night, and Coppell replaced him with Pratik Chaudhury in the second session.
As the former England and Manchester United winger had predicted, the visitors were waiting for the hosts to wither before striking. That very nearly happened in the 58th minute when Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro found space inside the box to shoot, but Graham Stack kept Blasters in the game with a brilliant save to his right.
Once Kerala had broken the deadlock, the game opened up, with the trickery of Belfort proving too hot for NorthEast. As the visitors searched for an equaliser, they lost their shape and plenty of gaps opened up in their defensive third. Vineeth, Belfort and substitute Antonio German tested keeper TP Rehenesh, while Rafi hit the bar with a header.
krishnakumarkh@newindianexpress.com