ISL debutants Jamshedpur FC hold Kerala Blasters

Add as a preferred source on Google

Kochi, November 24: Kerala Blasters FC and Jamshedpur FC both played their second successive goalless draw of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday (November 24).

Blasters 'keeper Paul Rachubka came up with two heroic moments in the match to ensure Jamshedpur's search for a first ISL win continues.

The match started slowly as both teams tried to build attacks, but were limited to speculative shots from distance instead. Kerala had the first real sniff of goal in the 10th minute when CK Vineeth's delightful cross from the right was met by an Iain Hume header that was off target.

Six minutes later they fashioned an even better chance, this time from Lalruatthara's cross from the left. Dimitar Berbatov got on to the end of this one with a first-time volley, but Jamshedpur custodian Subrata Paul saved it with ease.

However, it was the visitors who probably should have taken the lead near the half hour mark. Memo's freekick was met with a smart, diving stop from Paul Rachubka, who was at hand once more to make a second save to deny Jerry Mawhmingthanga's effort from the rebound.

The second half got underway with both teams being cautious in their approach, and rarely threatening to trouble the score line. Jamshedpur had a chance in the 75th minute, but substitute Farukh Choudhary's volley was comfortably dealt with by Rachubka.

Three minutes later, Kerala's Courage Pekuson went on a run down the middle and hammered a shot that flashed dangerously wide much to the relief of a fully-stretched Paul. Jamshedpur must have thought they had taken the lead in the first minute of stoppage time.

Kerala custodian Rachubka though was at it again and made a stunning point-blank save from Kervens Belfort's header following a cross form the right.

That was the last piece of action which means that both sides have now started their campaigns with the same score line from their first two fixtures.

Jamshedpur's Mehtab Hossain was adjudged the Hero of the match.

(ISL media)