ISL 2017/18: Match 62, FC Pune City vs Kerala Blasters FC, Player Ratings
Match 62 of the Hero Indian Super League saw FC Pune City host Kerala Blasters FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi, Pune.
The home side began the game in the third spot in the ISL standings with 22 points from their twelve matches so far. Kerala Blasters FC, on the other hand, were in the bottom half in the seventh spot with 17 points from their thirteen matches in the season.
Kerala Blasters pulled off a late win in Pune as CK Vineeth scored a late goal from a long-range effort in the 93rd minute. Jackichand Singh had given Kerala the lead before the hour mark with a great goal from outside the box but Emiliano Alfaro put the teams on level terms with a penalty.
FC Pune City misses the chance to go atop the table with the loss but Kerala moves up to the fifth spot in the table with 20 points in their tally from 14 matches.
FC Pune City
Vishal Kaith (5/10) - Vishal Kaith had a busy night on the pitch as the incessant Kerala attackers badgered his goal. He was beaten with a superb effort by Jackichand before the hour mark that gave Kerala the lead. He was on the end of another scintillating shot as Vineeth beat him at the death to secure the win for Kerala Blasters.
Sarthak Golui (5.5/10) - The young defender had a good night as he kept Kerala left winger Prashanth K in check. He made some runs on the flank and combined well with the midfielders.
Rafa Lopez (6/10) - The Spanish defender was a rock in the defense as he dealt with the threat of Hume and Vineeth in the box. He made a couple of crucial blocks as Kerala attacked with conviction on the Pune goal.
Gurtej Singh (6/10) - The Indian defender was a stable presence in the Pune defense alongside his partner Rafa Lopez. He was good in the air and made crucial clearances from the box.
Sahil Panwar (5.5/10) - The left-back for the home side had a tough day in office as he had to deal with the dual threat of Lalruatthara and the dynamic Jackichand Singh on his flank,
Adil Khan (5.5/10) - The Indian midfielder who played the defensive midfielder today looked strong in his tackles in the middle. He won a lot of aerial duels and did well to break up Kerala plays in the center.
Marko Stankovic (5.5/10) - The midfielder was a strong presence in the Pune defense as he moved the ball well around the park and was a constant threat from the setpieces.
Baljit Singh (5/10) - The former Chennaiyin FC man was deployed on the flanks by Popovic was ineffective and kept in check by the Kerala defense, later making way for Kean Lewis as Pune went all out for the winner.
Marcelinho (7.5/10) - The captain of the Pune team was at his usual creative self as he kept the Pune attack flowing. He took a lot of long-range efforts on the Kerala goal as he kept Roy alert between the sticks. He was awarded the Hero of the Match award for his performance.
Diego Carlos (6.5/10) - The Brazilian winger was a threat on the flanks as he kept the Kerala defenders on their toes with his skills and movement. He played on both the flanks and took shots on the goal as well.
Emiliano Alfaro (8/10) - The Uruguayan striker was the target man for the Pune team inside the box and had a couple of efforts on the goal in the first half. He equalized for the home side when he earned and scored the penalty in the 79th minute.
Substitutes:
Jonatan Lucca (4.5/10) - The Brazilian midfielder came on late in the second half as Pune pressed on after leveling the score in the match.
Kean Lewis (4.5/10) - The Indian winger was put on as Popovic introduced fresh legs for the Pune side to grab the winner.
Manuel Ortiz (4/10) - Ortiz replaced Alfaro with two minutes left of the regulation time as Popovic played the last roll of the dice for the winning goal.