Football

In a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Nehru Stadium, Hyderabad FC staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters. The match initially seemed destined for a comfortable Blasters win, but Hyderabad's resilience and determination proved decisive.Kerala Blasters began the match with a dominant display, slicing through Hyderabad's defense with ease. Mohammed Aimen and Adrian Luna were particularly impressive on the left flank, creating numerous scoring opportunities. The home side's efforts were rewarded in the 13th minute when Korou Singh delivered a precise cross to striker Jesus Jimenez, who tapped it in with ease.However, Hyderabad refused to be disheartened. Towards the end of the first half, Andrei Alba capitalized on a pass from Parag Shrivas to score a stunning equalizer with a rising shot. The goal transformed Hyderabad, instilling confidence and belief in the team.After the break, Edmilson Correia came on as a substitute for Hyderabad and nearly gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute. However, goalkeeper Som Kumar made a brilliant save to deny him. K.P. Rahul's introduction 10 minutes later brought a renewed sense of urgency to Blasters' play, as he sent dangerous crosses into the box from the right.Just when Blasters fans thought they were on the verge of a goal, Hyderabad struck again. The visitors earned a controversial penalty, despite replays showing that defender Hormipam did not handle the ball. Alba stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick, giving Hyderabad a 2-1 lead.Despite their best efforts, Kerala Blasters were unable to find an equalizer. Hyderabad held on to their slender advantage, securing a valuable three points that lifted them to seventh place in the ISL standings. Blasters, on the other hand, remained in 10th place after their third consecutive loss.

Bengaluru FC ended their two-year winless streak in Kochi with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday night. Substitute Edgar Mendez emerged as the hero for the Blues, scoring twice in the second half to secure the win.The match started with both teams trading blows, but it was Bengaluru who drew first blood. Argentine forward Pereyra Diaz pounced on a loose ball in the box and lobbed it over goalkeeper Som Kumar to give the visitors the lead in the 9th minute.However, the Blasters responded well and equalized through a penalty in the 45th minute. Kwame Peprah was brought down inside the box by Rahul Bheke, and Jesus Jimenez stepped up to convert the spot-kick.The second half was a more open affair, with both teams creating chances. Mendez, who had come on for Diaz in the 60th minute, made an immediate impact. In the 73rd minute, he pounced on a loose ball after Som Kumar fumbled Noguera's free-kick and slotted it home to give Bengaluru a 2-1 lead.The Blasters pushed for an equalizer in the dying minutes, but Mendez had the final say. In the 90th minute, he raced forward and found Som out of his goal, calmly slotting the ball into an empty net to seal the victory for Bengaluru.The win was a much-needed boost for Bengaluru, who had struggled for form in recent weeks. It also ended their two-year wait for a win in Kochi, where they had previously lost three consecutive matches.

Kwame Peprah, who had been sidelined for much of last season and overshadowed by Dimitrios Diamantakos, stole the spotlight from the ISL's top scorer last year. On Sunday, the young Ghanaian netted a late match-winner, securing a 2-1 victory for Kerala Blasters over East Bengal FC at the Nehru Stadium.Peprah entered the fray just 13 minutes earlier, replacing star forward Jesus Jimenez. The victory marked Blasters' first of the season, and the winning goal came in dramatic fashion. K.P. Rahul sent a cross from the left, and Anwar Ali appeared ready to clear the danger. However, Mohammed Aimen intercepted the ball with a clever slide and passed it to Peprah, who fired it home with a left-footed shot.P.V. Vishnu, a 22-year-old from Kasargod, had given EBFC the lead in the 59th minute. Noah Sadaoui, the recent Durand Cup's Golden Boot winner, equalized for Blasters in the 63rd minute.After a dismal season-opener against Punjab FC, Blasters coach Mikael Stahre had emphasized the need for a more attacking approach. This strategy paid off in this lively match. Despite being closely guarded, EBFC's Diamantakos remained a threat. He ran into the box and outfoxed goalkeeper Sachin Suresh with a smart cross to his right, which Vishnu tapped in neatly.However, Sadaoui was quick to level the scores. He raced in from the left, dodged a defender, and found the net with a precise shot to the far corner.The result: KBFC 2 (Sadaoui 63, Peprah 88) bt EBFC 1 (Vishnu 59).

Punjab FC Spoils Kerala Blasters' Thiruvonam Day Celebrations with 2-1 VictoryIn a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) opener, Punjab FC stunned the home crowd at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala, by defeating Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 on Sunday.The match, which was largely a midfield battle for the majority of the game, came to life in the final seven minutes. Slovenian forward Luka Majcen, who came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, proved to be the catalyst for Punjab's victory.With just four minutes remaining, Majcen converted a penalty after Kerala defender Saheef brought down Punjab's Leon Augustine in the box. The goal gave Punjab a crucial lead.However, the Blasters refused to go down without a fight. In the second minute of injury time, seasoned defender Pritam Kotal curled in a beautiful long-ranger from the right, which was headed home by new forward Jesus Nunez. The equalizer sent the home fans into a frenzy.But Punjab had the last laugh. Three minutes later, Majcen delivered a pinpoint cross to Filip Mrzijak on the right. The Croatian forward produced a sliding shot that found the back of the net, securing a dramatic victory for Punjab.The result was a bitter disappointment for the Blasters, who were playing their first match under new head coach Ivan Vukomanovic. The Serbian tactician had made several changes to the team, including the omission of star midfielder Adrian Luna, who was reportedly unwell.Punjab, on the other hand, will be delighted with their start to the season. The victory will give them confidence as they look to improve on their eighth-place finish last year.

Kerala Blasters, despite losing their top scorer from last season, Dimitrios Diamantakos, have been in impressive form in the pre-season and the Durand Cup. Their Moroccan forward, Noah Sadaoui, won the Golden Boot award in the Durand Cup, and the team is hoping that he and Spaniard Jesus Jimenez will continue their fine form in the upcoming ISL season opener against Punjab FC."We have been pretty solid so we are absolutely ready but the games in the ISL will tell us where we stand. It will be a hard game but hopefully we can beat them," said head coach Mikael Stahre.Punjab FC, who beat Blasters 3-1 in Kochi in their debut ISL year last season, and drew 1-1 in the recent Durand Cup, are also confident of a good performance."We have a new coaching staff, new foreign and Indian players and that is the biggest difference from last season," said Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis. "This season we will try to better the performance from last year and qualify for the playoffs."

Ivan Vukomanovic's departure from Kerala Blasters left a void in the hearts of the club's passionate fans. The Serbian coach had forged an unbreakable bond with the supporters during his three seasons at the helm, guiding the team to three ISL playoffs appearances.Mikael Stahre, the new head coach, faces the daunting task of filling Vukomanovic's shoes. The Swede is eager to win over the fans and has promised an exciting brand of football. "We'll play good and energetic football, score a lot of goals, and win," Stahre declared at the Nehru Stadium ahead of Blasters' ISL season opener against Punjab FC.Stahre understands the importance of fan support and is determined to create a positive atmosphere at the Nehru Stadium. "I think that's what football fans want in general. They have high expectations, want players to score a lot of goals, see positive football, energetic players, and they also want to see fighters out there. That's my message to the fans... we want to please them."The Blasters' fans have been the team's backbone, consistently filling the Nehru Stadium to capacity. Their unwavering support has played a crucial role in the team's success. However, the fans are also hungry for silverware. With Blasters having come tantalizingly close to the ISL Cup by reaching the final thrice and losing twice in the tiebreaker, the fans are desperate to lift the trophy.While they will expect the inspirational Adrian Luna to continue his magical touch, they will also be eagerly looking at new stars like Moroccan Noah Sadaoui, who won the Golden Boot at the recent Durand Cup, and Spaniard Jesus Jimenez to score goals aplenty.Stahre is confident that he can deliver the success that the Blasters' fans crave. "We want to win trophies. We want to play in Asia. We want to make the fans proud," he said.The new season promises to be an exciting one for Kerala Blasters. With a new coach, new players, and a hungry fan base, the team has all the ingredients for success.

Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan have secured their spots in the semifinals of the Durand Cup after thrilling victories in their respective quarterfinal matches.Mohun Bagan emerged victorious in a penalty shootout against Punjab FC, prevailing 6-5 after a 3-3 draw in regulation time. Punjab took an early lead through Luca Majcen's penalty, but Suhail Bhat and Manvir Singh put Mohun Bagan ahead in the second half. Filip Mrzljak and Norberto Ezequiel Vidal restored Punjab's advantage, but Jason Cummings equalized for Mohun Bagan in the 79th minute.In the penalty shootout, Mohun Bagan's Greg Stewart and Aldred converted crucial spot-kicks, while Punjab's Novoselec and Denechandram Meetei missed their attempts. Manvir, Liston Colaco, and Dimi Petratos also scored for Mohun Bagan, while Vinit Rai, Vidal, Bakenga, and Mrzljak found the net for Punjab.In the other quarterfinal, Bengaluru FC edged past Kerala Blasters 1-0 thanks to a late injury-time goal from Pererya Diaz. The match started with a tense moment as Kerala Blasters' goalkeeper Som Kumar collided with Diaz, forcing the Tuskers to substitute their goalkeeper.Bengaluru FC dominated possession but struggled to break down Kerala Blasters' defense. Sunil Chhetri's introduction in the 67th minute added pressure on Kerala Blasters, but both teams failed to find a decisive moment.In the dying moments of injury time, Bengaluru was awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Chhetri's attempt was blocked, but Diaz pounced on the rebound and slotted the ball into the near post to secure the win for Bengaluru FC.In the semifinals, Bengaluru FC will face defending champions Mohun Bagan, while Northeast United FC will take on Shillong Lajong FC.

Kerala Blasters FC unleashed their attacking prowess, crushing Mumbai City FC 8-0 in a Group C league match of the 133rd Durand Cup football tournament at the Kishore Bharati Stadium. The Blasters' Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui and Ghanaian striker Kwame Peprah led the goal-scoring spree, each netting a hat-trick.Sadaoui opened the scoring in the 31st minute, giving Kerala an early advantage. Peprah doubled the lead just seven minutes later, and the Blasters continued to dominate the match. Sadaoui struck again in the 50th minute, extending the lead to 3-0.Peprah scored his second goal in the 38th minute, followed by another in the 45th minute, completing his hat-trick before halftime. The Blasters' relentless attack continued in the second half, with Sadaoui completing his hat-trick in the 76th minute.Mumbai City FC, fielding its reserve team, struggled to contain the Blasters' offensive onslaught. Ishan Pandita, who came on as a late substitute for Peprah, added two quick goals in the 86th and 87th minutes, sealing the massive victory for Kerala.The result marked a resounding triumph for the Blasters, who showcased their attacking capabilities and defensive solidity. Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, will need to regroup and improve their performance in the remaining matches of the tournament.

Kerala Blasters Bolster Coaching Staff with European ExpertiseKOCHI: Kerala Blasters, the Indian Super League (ISL) club, has strengthened its coaching team with the addition of two European professionals: Bjorn Wesstrom and Frederico Pereira Morais. Wesstrom, a Swede, will serve as the assistant coach, while Morais, a Portuguese, will be the assistant coach for set-pieces.Wesstrom brings a wealth of experience to the Blasters, having previously served as director of football at Danish club Odense Boldklub. He is known for his tactical acumen and ability to develop young players. Morais, on the other hand, has a reputation for his innovative approach to training, analysis, and set-piece execution. He was previously an assistant coach at London's Leyton Orient.The appointments of Wesstrom and Morais are part of a wider overhaul of the Blasters' coaching staff under new head coach Mikael Stahre. Stahre, also a Swede, has a proven track record of success in the ISL, having led Chennaiyin FC to the title in 2017-18."I have known Bjorn for a long time and worked with him in various roles, so I am delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside him again," said Stahre. "Bjorn is a highly experienced football professional who will positively complement the current staff while bringing enthusiasm and depth to the coaching team.""Frederico is very modern in his approach to training, analysis, and set pieces, which is a huge strength," added Stahre.Wesstrom and Morais will join assistant coach T.G. Purushothaman and goalkeeping coach Slaven Provegcki in the Blasters' backroom for the upcoming season. The club is hoping that the new coaching team will help them improve on their disappointing performance in the previous ISL season, where they finished ninth in the standings.