Kerala Blasters were able to salvage a 1-1 draw against SC East Bengal in the 35th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League at GMC Stadium, Bambolim on Sunday. Kerala Blasters conceded a own goal when Barkary Kone made a desperate dive to get the clearance after a cross from Mohammad Rafique.

However, the Blasters equalized in the stoppage time of the second half when only three minutes were left. Jeakson Singh scored a fine header to help his team share the spoils in the match. It was Singh’s maiden goal in the Hero ISL and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Blasters.

Blasters head coach Kibu Vicuna was proud of his boys for their positive attitude and fighting spirit. The team was consistently able to create their chances but they couldn’t grab them.

Vicuna said in the post-match presentation, “It was a deserved goal that Jeakson scored. I am proud of the players in terms of the attitude and the fighting spirit that we saw till the end of the second half. We wanted the three points and our first victory. We showed that we can create chances and play well, we can take the three points in the next match.”

Meanwhile, Blasters are yet to register their maiden win of the season as they have lost three and drawn as many out of the six matches they have played. However, Vicuna believes it was the team’s best performance thus far in the season.

“We wanted to have the ball more than the opponent and we had it. We created chances and we had different possibilities and I think that this was the best match we have played,” said Vicuna. 

Vicuna also revealed that he replaced Gary Hooper with Jordan Murray at the half-way stage as the former had some muscular issues.

On the other hand, SC East Bengal chief coach Robbie Fowler was disappointed with his team’s performance and stated they should have won the match as they created enough chances.

Kerala Blasters will next face Hyderabad FC at the same venue of GMC Stadium, Bambolim on 27th December.