ISL 2020: NorthEast hold Blasters to 2-2 draw after late strike from Sylla

Substitute Idrissa Sylla equalised within the dying moments to assist NorthEast United maintain Kerala Blasters to a 2-2 attract an Indian Super League recreation, right here on Thursday.

Goals from Sergio Cidoncha (fifth minute) and Gary Hooper (45th) gave Kerala a 2-Zero lead on the break. But Ghanaian striker Kwesi Appiah (51st) decreased the margin earlier than Sylla’s harm time equaliser enabled NorthEast to go residence with a degree of their kitty.

After a minute’s silence to honour late Diego Maradona, Kerala bought off to a dream begin with Cidoncha heading in a Seityasen free-kick within the fifth minute. The Spaniard’s looped header was a factor of magnificence — no goalkeeper on the planet might have saved that.

Sahal Abdul Samad’s absence had meant that Cidoncha was enjoying larger up and that technique labored a deal with.

In the 23rd minute, Hooper fluffed a sitter when NorthEast’s protection was caught off guard. Cidoncha, after receiving the ball from Hooper, squared it again to him, with the Englishman dealing with an open objective. Hooper’s first-time shot, although, blazed over the bar.

Both groups struggled to create clear-cut possibilities till the top of the primary half when an offensive transfer from Kerala ended with the referee pointing to the spot. Rakesh Pradhan was quite harshly adjudged to have slashed Lalthathanga Khawlhring down. Hooper fired the ensuing penalty straight down the center.

NorthEast keeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury managed to get a foot to it, however the contact wasn’t sufficient to maintain the ball out.

The Highlanders began the second-half positively and have been quickly rewarded for his or her intent. Some poor defending by Kerala allowed Appiah to attain from shut vary.

However, Appiah turned villain later when NorthEast have been awarded a penalty within the 65th minute. The Ghanian tried to seek out Lalengmawia, however the latter was introduced down within the field by Jessel Carneiro. Appiah stepped as much as take the penalty however his spot-kick hit the crossbar earlier than ricocheting out.

Minutes after his miss, Appiah was changed by Guinean ahead Sylla who would go on to have a serious affect on the sport.

Nus’ aspect stored knocking on the door and have been quickly rewarded for his or her efforts. Sylla missed an opportunity to attract degree within the 83rd minute when he directed a header over the bar.

But he made up for that in harm time, beautifully controlling a protracted ball from Gurjinder Kumar together with his chest earlier than powering residence previous Kerala keeper Albino Gomes.

In the top, the draw ensured that NorthEast remained unbeaten after two video games.