ISL 5: Late goal helps Delhi Dynamos hold Kerala Blasters to 1-1 draw

Andrija Kaluderovic scored a late goal as Delhi Dynamos came back from behind to hold Kerala Blasters to a 1-1 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday.

In a rain-affected match, Kerala Blasters looked to be running for their first win at home after CK Vineeth put them ahead in the 48^th minute but Delhi made most of Kerala skipper Sandesh Jhingan’s injury to equalise six minutes from injury time and snatch an away point.

Delhi controlled the match right from word go as the Blasters found it difficult to establish their footing at home turf. Lallianzuala Chhangte was the most threatening among them running constantly through the left flank and he gave Sandesh Jhingan a hard-time throughout the opening half.

But it was the home side, who came close to scoring in the 22^nd minute when a quick counter that involved Slavisa Stojanovic and Sahal Abdul Samad saw the former clear on goal. But his shot was parried away by an alert Delhi custodian Francisco Dorronsoro.

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Kaluderovic nearly put Delhi ahead minutes later when Kerala goalkeeper Naveen Kumar failed to hold on to a long cross but his defenders were at hand to prevent any sort of trouble.

Eventually, Vineeth put Kerala ahead with a neat finish three minutes into the second half after Delhi failed to clear a corner. A half-cleared corner fell to substitute Matej Poplatnik, who sent the ball back into the box for Vineeth, which the striker poked above a rushing Dorronsoro.

Delhi had by then missed two glittering chances to score both of which came in the first half. Rene Mihelic first found Romeo Fernandes, who squared the ball for Gianni Zuiverloon. But with the goal at his mercy, the Dutchman fired the ball wide at the post with Naveen Kumar well beaten.

Lakic-Pesic then denied Romeo with an excellent block after Mihelic once again send the younger winger through on goal. On the other, Kerala should have added a second goal after Seiminlen Doungel and Poplatnik found themselves in a two-on-one situation. But Doungel chose to shoot only finding the side netting when he could have easily passed it to Poplatnik.

Delhi then found the goal through Kaluderovic, who headed home to bring the vital away point for his side.

Kerala remained second despite the draw and have five points from three games, while Delhi still searching for their maiden victory this season remained on eighth with just two points from three matches.