ISL 2022-23: Kerala Blasters FC vs NorthEast United FC Highlights: KBFC Beat NEUFC 2-0

FULLTIME!

Kerala Blasters beat NorthEast United FC 2-0 at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium thanks to a double from Dimitrios Diamantakos.

KBFC 2-0 NEUFC

KBFC hit the post through Ruivah Hormipam as his towering header is tipped onto the crossbar by the keeper.

KBFC are two to the good and have good value to their lead.

The home team have been absolutely solid across all parts of the field and have made the visitors’ life really difficult on the evening,

Ivan Vukomanovic’s men look to maintain their clean sheet as we edge closer to the end of the game.

Romain Philippoteaux is presented with a delightful opportunity to cut NEUFC ‘s arrears in half as a scrumptious ball finds the forward right in the middle of the box.

With just the goalie to beat, the Frenchman slices the ball woefully wide.

KBFC go in search of their third goal of the night as the Manjapada urge their side on.

Rahul KP is presented with a chance to shoot from just outside the box and he obliges. But his effort is thwarted by some dedicated defending from the NEUFC players.

Emil Benny shoots from outside the box following some good hold up play near the area by Kule Mbombo who lays the ball off for the Indian to strike.

But, the effort is rather tame and doesn;t test the KBFC goalie Karanjit Singh.

Diamantakos is clearly eyeing the match ball as he looks to get his third of the night with an exhilarating pile driver of a shot from outside the box.

But, his left-footed effort goes just over the bar.

SECOND HALF!

NEUFC get the second half underway as they look to overcome the two goal defecit.

KBFC 2-0 NEUFC

Kerala Blasters head into the game with a two goal advantage over the visiting NorthEast United FC thanks to a double from Dimitrios Diamantakos.

KBFC 2-0 NEUFC

GOAL!

Diamantakos bags another.

The strikes is played through as NEUFC fail to recover from the goal and the home team capitalise.

The Greek forward is played through on goal and powers the ball past the NEUFC keeper with a low left footed drive.

KBFC 2-0 NEUFC

GOAL!

Diamantakos puts KBFC ahead.

NEUFC nod off as a quick throw-in is played to the feet of Miranda, who swings in a delightful cross.

Diamantakos rises highest to meet the bll mid-air and steer it home.

KBFC 1-0 NEUFC

It has been one-way traffic here in Kochi as Kerala Blasters have threatened to score for the most part of the first half.

Luna pops up with yet another brilliant backheel from near the away line to permit Harmanjot Khabra to swing the ball in, but the cross is dealt with by the NEUFC defence.

Adrian Luna is presented with a simple opportunity to put the tuskers ahead as a delightful cross in by Bryce Miranda finds the Uruguayan inside the box.

But, with the goal at his mercy, the 30-year-old misses the target as he fires the ball on the wrong side of the post.

NEUFC let off the hook there.

KBFC 0-0 NEUFC

NorthEast United advance into the area following some gritty display in the middle of the park by the visitors.

But, they hang on to the ball for a bit too long as the KBFC defence see out the danger.

Rahul KP comes up with a sterling ball into the box as he plays a low cross in after running past a defender.

But, the delicious ball in beats the lurking KBFC striker for pace as another opportunity goes begging.

Luna produces a piece of magic as he releases a teammate with a scintillating backheel on the right.

The ball is squared into the path of Giannou, but the striker doesn’t connect as he would have liked and the ball rolls harmlessly wide of goal.

Kerala have a corner after their foray into the attacking area but, NEUFC clear the ball away comfortably and launch a counter.

The Highlanders turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye, but overplay thier hand in the danger area and Kerala defenders get back in time to keep the ball out of the net.

KBFC have an opportunity in the very first minute of the game to go ahead as Diamantakos has a sight of goal following his darting run into the area.

The Greek forward pulls the trigger but his attempt is hit straight at NEUFC custodian Arindam Bhattacharya and the keeper does well to keep the ball out of the net.

KICKOFF!

KBFC get the ball rolling against the visiting NEUFC at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium in front of their ever passionate Manjapada.

KBFC 0-0 NEUFC