Kochi: Iain Hume’s first half strike and late heroics from goalkeeper Sandip Nandy enabled Kerala Blasters to beat FC Pune City 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Super League here on Tuesday.Nandy stood tall, fending off relentless Pune attacks as the hosts held on to the solitary goal lead from a freekick in the 23rd minute. Kerala have confirmed their play-offs spot with 19 points while a persistent Pune crashed out.
For fans of Kerala and Pune, a 90-minute prayer preceded the kickoff. Their wish was answered as Delhi Dynamos FC were held 2-2 by Chennaiyin FC.But as the ball rolled, it was unusual to find Kerala not in control of their game at home, having dominated possession in all six previous matches. Pune sensed the panic and made a hasty start.
Just as Pune appeared to be going through their gears quickly, Kerala scored. It came against the run of play and in the most unlikely fashion.In their eight goals thus far in the competition, Kerala had none from set pieces. That changed when Hume stepped up for a freekick in the 23rd minute.The Canadian had volunteered to shoot and dead ball specialist Jamie McAllister dummied. From 25 yards, Hume hit a low curler that bounced, flicked the palm of a late-moving Pune custodian Arindam Bhattarchaya and entered the net.
While Kerala manager David James smiled in relief in the technical area, Nandy did not make an assured start.
The India custodian was clumsy with the crosses and fumbled a routine collection from Pennant’s freekick. The spill then took a hammering from Pune captain Bruno Cirillo, but was deflected out. As pressure piled on, Kerala players missed sitters. Milagres Gonsalves had an open goal at his mercy when Arindam was out of position, but he miscued.
