ISL 2018-19: Bengaluru FC v Kerala Blasters Hits and Flops - Sunil Chhetri steals Sandesh Jhingan's thunder
Bengaluru FC rallied from being two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanterava Stadium on Wednesday.
The hosts Bengaluru FC found themselves trailing early in the game as coach Carles Cuadrat's strategy of playing Kean Lewis backfired.
Slavisa Stojanovic converted from the spot for Blasters and Courage Pekuson doubled the lead five minutes before the break for Blasters.
Trailing by two goals, Cuadrat immediately changed his strategy at half time and got BFC back in the game with key substitutions.
Miku, Xisco Fernandez and Rahul Bheke all played vital roles in securing the draw for Bengaluru FC in front of 13,572 fans.
First, Sunil Chhetri, with Miku playing a dummy, set up Udanta Singh's tap-in. Soon after, Chhetri himself headed in from an Udanta cross to secure the point for BFC.
Here are the hits and flops from the game:
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Flop - Kean Lewis (Bengaluru FC)
Kean Lewis, who is actually a winger, was strangely fielded as a right-back in this game. Lewis found it hard to adjust to the new role and was often confused whether to stay behind and defend or help out Udanta Singh in the attack.
Even if he was playing as a wing-back, he maintained a line way behind the other full-back Nishu Kumar. He showed early on itself that he was struggling.
And then he made a mess of a routine clearance to concede a penalty in the 15th minute. Mohamad Rakip had unleashed pace on the right flank and cut back from the touchline.
Lewis had no pressure and instead of whipping away the ball, he dragged it into his body and played it out with his hand.
Referee Tejas Nagvenkar pointed to the spot and Slavisa Stojanovic put Kerala Blasters ahead.
Soon after the goal, coach Carles Cuadrat shifted Lewis into the central midfielder role with Harmanjot Khabra moving back as an RB.
Lewis' confidence seemed to have taken a hit because he fumbled initially with the ball and gave away the possession easily.
He created only a couple of chances in the first half as a midfielder and when BFC were down 2-0, he was taken off before the start of the second half.
An error in judgment on part of Carles Cuadrat to field him as a defender.