Kochi: C.K. Vineeth’s scintillating strike in the 66th minute helped Kerala Blasters edge NorthEast United 1-0 to book their place in the semi-finals of the Indian Super League Season Three at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
The Kannur-native netted his fifth goal of the season with a precise ground shot as Kerala, with 22 points, confirmed their last four meeting with Delhi Dynamos (21 points), whom they replaced to move second in the final standings.
NorthEast, for the second year in a row, have finished fifth, on the fringes of qualification. The visitors were dealt a massive blow minutes before kick-off as star striker Nico Velez was injured during warm-up. Brazilian midfielder Wellington Priori replaced the Argentine.
Kerala had three changes as Steve Coppell reverted to a 4-3-3 formation. Josu Currais, one of the three players who had started every match until then, missed out with an ankle injury and Rino Anto took his place at left-back. Duckesn Nazon and Azrack Mahamat came in for a suspended Mehtab Hossain and Elhadji Ndoye.
Contrary to its manager’s pre-match claims, Kerala took up a defensive shape and with a point enough for a place in the semi-final, it was understandable. NorthEast, meanwhile, attacked from the onset, serving a reminder that only a win would ensure their qualification.
Kerala’s defence was unsettled and their captain Aaron Hughes, unusually, dallied in possession. Priori and Koffi Ndri dominated their midfield rivals Azrack Mahamat and Ishfaq Ahmed, the latter also one of Coppell’s assistants, constantly came second best.
Seityasen Singh, a goal scorer in NorthEast’s midweek triumph over Delhi, was menacing on the left wing and made life miserable for Rino Anto, who had an early booking and was replaced at the hour by Pratik Chaudhary. NorthEast, for all their domination, failed to trouble Stack.
It was a changed Kerala that kicked off the second and the Haitian forwards Nazon and Belfort were at the thick of it. Rafi hadn’t expected it would prove to be the decisive assist when he crossed from deep and found Vineeth unmarked.
The former Viva Kerala winger cut onto his favourite right foot and hit a precision strike that beat an outstretched Rehenesh and curled into the far corner.
The Bengaluru FC loanee had yet again proved the match-winner and for the capacity crowd it was an indication to make their semis plans.
