That is it from game no.43 as it ends all square. The game had a lot of good chances but not any goals. Join us again on Friday as table toppers Bengaluru FC take on FC Pune City in the formers den. The clash will begin at 1930 IST. Do join us then. Goodbye and have a great night.
Awards
The Club Award has been shared as the match ended in a draw. The Limitless Player of the Match Award goes to Raphael Augusto. The Winning Pass of the Match Award is won by Jeje Lalpekhlua. The Emerging Player of the Match Award is bagged by Isaac Vanmalsawma. Dheeraj Singh wins the Hero of the Match Award.
A goalless affair
What an entertaining game of football it was. Both the teams had some brilliant chances to score but they could not make the most of it. Isaac Vanmalsawma and Thoi Singh should have scored and given the lead to the home side in the first half, but the second half was completely different, with the away team attacking more and creating chances. The goalkeepers of both the teams were up to the task as they made some brilliant saves to deny any of them from scoring. Doungel in the dying minutes had two superb chances to win it for the away side but could not take it. In the end, you can say, the draw was a fair result.
90'
Full time
The match ends in a stalemate. Both the teams had big opportunities to bag all three point but could not take it.
90'
Added time
5 minutes to be added on.
90'
Another substitution for Chennaiyin FC
Isaac Vanmalsawma is replaced by Francisco Fernandes.
90'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: Francisco Fernandes, Out: Isaac Vanmalsawma)
87'
Off target
A lovely cross by Sandesh Jhingan from the right hand side to find Matej Poplatnik, whose headed effort is off target. Sandesh Jhingan has made a difference coming off the bench.
83'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: Anirudh Thapa, Out: Jeje Lalpekhlua)
81'
Another opportunity wasted
Sandesh Jhingan runs forward from the right and crosses it inside the box, finds Halicharan Narzary who lays it off his head to Seiminlen Doungel who miscues his shot in the end. And the ball goes wide of the post. Two golden chances missed by Doungel.
80'
So close
A lovely through ball on the right by Keziron Kizito to find Seiminlen Doungel who finds the space and hits the shot with his right foot. The shot beats the diving keeper but unfortunately his effort hits bottom left post.
77'
Substitution for Kerala Blasters FC
Sahal Abdul Samad is replaced by Sandesh Jhingan to bring some defensive solidity.
77'
Substitution
Substitution - Kerala Blasters FC (In: Sandesh Jhingan, Out: Sahal Abdul Samad)
75'
Final 15 minutes
Will we see a goal in this game as we enter the last 15 minutes of the match?
73'
Substitution
First change for Chennaiyin FC as Carlos Salom replaces Andrea Orlandi.
73'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: Carlos Salom, Out: Andrea Orlandi)
71'
Chance after chance
Raphael Augusto runs with the ball and feeds it to Thoi Singh on the right flank. The latter then squares it to Jeje Lalpekhlua, who then lays it to Andrea Orlandi who takes a shot with his left foot. But hits the defender and the corner is awarded for the home side.
66'
Blocked away
Jerry Lalrinzuala on the left flank puts in a dangerous cross inside the box. Dheeraj Singh comes and punches it away. But the ball then falls straight to Andrea Orlandi who takes a shot with his left foot but hits one of the Kerala defenders. Home side piling on the pressure here.
63'
Save
Dheeraj Singh looks in top form tonight as he saves another shot this time from his feet. Jeje Lalpekhlua beats his defender and hits a shot from the left and Dheeraj Singh is up to the task once again. Both teams are having good chances here.
59'
Substitution
Nikola Krcmarevic is replaced by Seiminlen Doungel. Nikola Krcmarevic is stretchered off the pitch and this looks like a very serious injury.
59'
Substitution
Substitution - Kerala Blasters FC (In: Seiminlen Doungel, Out: Nikola Krcmarevic)
55'
Excellent save
Sanjiban Ghosh is up to the task and saves a good low shot hit on the bottom right. Keziron Kizito runs with the ball in the midfield and then passes it to Sahal Abdul Samad who was free on goal. He takes a shot with his left foot only for the keeper to deny him.
48'
Half a chance
A brilliant piece of trickery by Raphael Augusto who beats the defender and passes the ball low across the face of goal from the left but cannot find anyone at the end of the pass.
46'
Second half
We are back for the start of the second half. Chennaiyin FC will get us underway in this half.
A half of missed opportunities for Chennaiyin FC
How's this game 0-0 at half time? Chennaiyin FC have had two great opportunities to take the lead but poor finishing has been the story of their season so far and it has been on display again. Thoi Singh has probably had the miss of the season when he somehow managed to miss the target from a few yards away, which looked like the tougher thing to do from that distance. Chennaiyin FC would be disappointed going into the half without scoring. Kerala Blasters FC have dominated the ball possession but haven't had any clear cut chances. They must consider themselves lucky to go into the half with the scores at level terms. Chennaiyin FC would like to finish the chances they get and hope those missed chances don't come back to haunt them, whereas Kerala Blasters FC would like to create more chances in the second half.
45'
Half time
It's a stalemate at the end of the first half.
45'
Added time
1 minute has been added at the end of regulation 45.
45'
Off Target
Halicharan Narzary tries his luck from long way out but completely misses the target.
41'
Wide of the target
Raphael Augusto finds himself in space just outside the box, he goes to his left and takes a shot with his left foot. But the ball goes just wide of the target. Good try from Augusto there.
40'
Good defending
Thoi Singh from the left wings sends a dangerous cross inside the box, but the backline of Kerala clears it away.
33'
Golden opportunity missed
A good combination between Thoi Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua. The latter runs with the ball and squares it to Thoi Singh who takes a shot with his right foot but it goes just wide of the target. He should have scored there. Chennaiyin will rue the chances they have missed.
30'
What A Save
Andrea Orlandi puts it in the box and Eli Sabia heads it down towards Thoi Singh who fires in a first time shot from the right side which is brilliantly kept out by Dheeraj Singh.
20'
Over the bar
Andrea Orlandi hangs in a corner from the left-hand side. It hits one of the Kerala defenders and the ball goes straight to Orlandi who cuts it back to Jeje Lalpekhlua. He takes a first time shot with his left foot but it goes over the bar. He should have at least tested the keeper there.
16'
Off target
Andrea Orlandi whips in a good ball into the box from the left corner and finds Eli Sabia who leaps high and heads it but cannot keep the ball down and heads it off target.
14'
Kerala Blasters FC dominating
The away side is having much of the ball but lacking the final touch in the attacking third which could see them score a goal.
6'
On target
Isaac Vanmalsawma on the left flank finds some space and crosses it inside the box. He finds Andrea Orlandi who heads it but it goes straight to the keeper. Either side of Dheeraj Singh and he would have found it tough saving it.
3'
Chance
A brilliant low cross from the right from Raphael Augusto to find Isaac Vanmalsawma who misses an open goal. A good chance to take an early lead in this match goes begging for Chennaiyin FC.
1'
Kick off
The referee blows his whistle and Kerala Blasters FC will get us underway in this half.
Toss
Chennaiyin FC win the toss and will attack from left to right in this half.
National anthem
The players are out in the middle for the Indian National Anthem.
Kerala Blasters FC XI
Dheeraj Singh (GK), Nemanja Lakic-Pesic (C), Cyril Kali, Mohamad Rakip, Anas Edathodika, Keziron Kizito, Sahal Abdul Samad, Halicharan Narzary, Zakeer Mundampara, Nikola Krcmarevic, Matej Poplatnik.
Chennaiyin FC XI
Sanjiban Ghosh (GK), Mailson Alves (C), Laldinliana Renthlei, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Inigo Calderon, Eli Sabia, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Raphael Augusto, Thoi Singh, Andrea Orlandi, Jeje Lalpekhlua.
A six pointer game
Hello, everyone, for Match 43 of the 2018/19 Indian Super League between Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters FC. The Super Machans have not registered a win at home so far this season and are in desperate need of a victory after securing just four points from their eight games until now. The home team has a good opportunity to get some points against a depleted Kerala Blasters team. Chennaiyin have lacked killer instinct till now. Raphael Augusto and Thoi Singh need to start scoring goals for them. Coming to the away team, they are in search of a win after losing three games in a row. Their talismanic captain Jinghan has not been in the best of form this season. That is one of the reasons they are conceding far too many goals at the back. David James would like Pesic and Poplatnik to play their best game and get all three points tonight. Both teams will be aiming for nothing short of three points as they aim to make up for their stuttering start to the new campaign. Should be a cracking game between these two.