Kolkata: Kerala Blasters and fans who wanted to go to Kolkata to settle scores for their defeat in Kochi were disappointed. Blasters lost 2-1 in the match held at Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium. With this, ATK became fourth and Kerala Blasters fifth in the points table. The third and fourth placed teams can play the play-offs at home.
Blasters, who fought with the goal of winning, took the lead in the 16th minute. Dimitrios Diamantakos scored the goal for Blasters. Ivan Kalyushny brought the ball into the box and Apostles Giannou turned it over to the nearby Diamantakos. Diamantakos’ one-touch shot rattled Kolkata’s goal net. (Score 1-0). This was Dimitriosin’s 10th goal for Kerala Blasters.
Blasters’ lead lasted only 6 minutes. ATK played hard and scored the equalizer in the 23rd minute. When the free kick received by ATK reached the box, Blasters defender Victor Monkil could not stop it. McHugh netted the ball through a header (score 1-1).
KL Rahul’s dismissal was a setback for Blasters in the second half. Blasters were reduced to 10 men with Rahul sent off after seeing a second yellow card. A second blow followed by McHugh. In the 71st minute, McHugh scored with a left-footed shot from a minus pass by Manveer.
With this defeat, the Blasters’ hopes of playing the knockout race for the playoffs at home have faded. In the current situation, Kerala Blasters need to win the next match against Hyderabad FC if they want to get a home ground in the knockout. Also Bangalore and ATK should lose or draw in the next match. But the Blasters can play the playoffs in a packed stadium in Kochi.
