NorthEast United FC extended their unbeaten run to six games in a row with a gritty 0-0 draw away to Kerala Blasters FC in their Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Saturday.
The Highlanders were unlucky not to score and were twice denied by the woodwork. Juan Pedro Benali’s men consolidated their position in the table with the result. They are fifth in the table with 25 points from 17 matches.
“It’s a good point away from home against a good side. So we take the point and look forward to getting three points at home in our next match,” NorthEast United FC’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali said after the match.
NorthEast United FC started on a front foot and dominated possession from the get-go. The game’s first chance saw Samte find Jithin MS behind the Kerala backline in the 12th minute but Jithin’s attempt to find Alaaeddine Ajaraie was deflected just wide of the post.
Kerala Blasters’ defender Aibanbha Dohling was shown a red card in the 30th minute for an attempted head-butt against Alaaeddine Ajaraie. As the match neared half-time, the Highlanders upped the tempo and came close to opening the account through Ajaraie, who was put through by Bekey Oram. However, Ajaraie’s shot was palmed away by Kerala custodian Sachin Suresh and the teams went into the break on level footing.
At the start of the second half, Benali brought on Guillermo Fernandez for Mohammed Ali Bemammer, who had to come off with a knock. At the 50-minute mark, Noah Sadaoui drew a save from NorthEast custodian Gurmeet Singh but the Highlanders were quickly up at the other end. Jithin MS found Nestor Albiach in space and the Spaniard tried to curl a shot into the far corner but his shot thudded against the woodwork.
Four minutes later, another quick counter saw Gurmeet release Jithin on the right flank, who put the ball into the path of Guillermo. Guillermo then further switched it out wide on the left onto the path of rushing Buanthanglun Samte. Samte hit the shot sweetly but it went just past the far post.
At the hour mark, Nestor and Guillermo combined inside the box but Guillermo’s shot hit against the woodwork as the Highlanders came close to opening the account.
NorthEast United FC next face Hyderabad FC at home on January 29, in what will be the last game at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati this season.
