That's all from this goal-fest. Chennaiyin FC move up the ladder with their fourth win on the trot. Kerala Blasters FC are almost out of the run for the playoffs with this loss and they need a miracle to have any chance of making it to the next round. On Sunday, 2nd February, Jamshedpur FC will host ATK FC. That match will begin at 1930 IST. Until then, cheers!
Awards
The Club Award is given to Chennaiyin FC as they won the game. Bartholomew Ogbeche collects the Limitless Player of the Match Award. Rafael Crivellaro bags the Winning Pass of the Match Award. Jerry Lalrinzuala takes the ISL Emerging Player of the Match Award while Lallianzuala Chhangte bags the Hero of the Match Award.
A 9-goal wonder
We have witnessed a game which will be remembered for ages! There were a total of 9 goals in the game. 6 from the Super Machans and 3 from Kerala Blasters FC. In the first half, Chennaiyin FC after looking like being in deep sleep for most parts suddenly woke up and scored 3 goals in no time. Kerala Blasters FC came back with a lot of intent in the next 45. Three minutes into the second half, Bartholomew Ogbeche scored one to give themselves a chance. Soon after, Chennaiyin FC added one more to their tally to make it 4-1 but Kerala Blasters FC were not ready to give up yet. They scored 2 more goals in quick time to get themselves back in the game. The Marina Machans were not amused and they took their tally to 6 goals. The defense of both sides has to be questioned as they were very poor. Out of the 9 goals scored, most of them were due to the poor defending by the backline. With this win, Chennaiyin FC move up to 5th on the points table.
90'
Full time
The referee blows the whistle for full time and it ends Chennaiyin FC 6-3 Kerala Blasters FC.
90'
GOAL!!!
What is happening! Chennaiyin FC get their sixth goal of the night and just like the first half, the visitors are finishing the half with a bang. Rafael Crivellaro passes the ball to Nerijus Valskis inside the penalty area. Valskis shoots and the ball goes into the back of the net before the keeper could do anything.
90'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : VALSKIS
90'
Added time
5 minutes have been added by the referee to his half.
86'
Substitution
Substitution - Kerala Blasters FC (In: RAFI, Out: SEITYASEN)
87'
Final change
Kerala Blasters FC make their final change of the game as Seityasen Singh is replaced by Mohammed Rafi.
84'
Substitution!
Another change for Kerala Blasters FC as Samuel Lalmuanpuia comes in for Jeakson Singh.
84'
Substitution
Substitution - Kerala Blasters FC (In: SAMUEL, Out: JEAKSON)
80'
GOAL!!!
Chennaiyin FC score their fifth and is that the end of the game? Cannot say that considering how quickly the goals have come in this game. Thoi Singh squares it to Lallianzuala Chhangte, who then moves forward with the ball. Chhangte then shoots and it touches the hand of the keeper before rolling behind to find the net.
80'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : L.Z.Chhangte
78'
Well defended
Seityasen Singh crosses the ball in the right flank towards his fellow attacker but a Chennaiyin FC defender heads it away for a corner. Nothing results from the corner.
76'
GOOALLLLL
Kerala Blasters FC are still in with a shout! Bartholomew Ogbeche has scored his hat-trick and now the deficit for them is just one goal. The move for this goal is developed by Raju Gaikwad who sets Halicharan Narzary free on the left flank. Narzary swings in a lovely cross inside the box and Bartholomew Ogbeche jumps to head it home. The crowd is going mad! They can sense a comeback now.
76'
Goal
Goal - Kerala Blasters FC : OGBECHE
75'
One more substitution
Thoi Singh makes his way out in the centre, replacing Edwin Vanspaul.
75'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: THOI, Out: VANSPAUL)
71'
Offside
Chennaiyin FC could have got their fifth goal of the night but the linesman raises his flag for offside. Rafael Crivellaro passes the ball from inside the box to Lallianzuala Chhangte. The midfielder shoots and the ball goes into the back of the net. But unfortunately for him, it is offside.
68'
Another change
Chennaiyin FC make another change in quick time. The skipper goes out for Masih Saighani.
66'
Substitution
Chennaiyin FC make their first change of the night. They bring in Germanpreet Singh for Andre Schembri.
68'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: SAIGHANI, Out: GOIAN)
65'
GOAL!!!
Kerala Blasters FC pull one back and they are not giving up. This is some terrific fightback from the Kerala Blasters FC. Sergio Cidoncha runs in and then passes it to Bartholomew Ogbeche. The forward then shoots from just outside the box and the ball goes past the diving keeper to find the net. Can Kerala Blasters FC equalize before full time?
67'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: GERMAN.K, Out: SCHEMBRI)
65'
Goal
Goal - Kerala Blasters FC : OGBECHE
63'
Substitution
The first change of the night and it is the Kerala Blasters FC who make it. Mohamad Rakip goes out for Sahal Abdul Samad.
63'
Substitution
Substitution - Kerala Blasters FC (In: SAHAL, Out: M.RAKIP)
61'
Injury?
Nerijus Valskis seems to have injured himself and is getting some treatment near the sidelines.
59'
GOAL!!!
Chennaiyin FC get another goal and this is a result of poor defending. Lallianzuala Chhangte tries to cut Mohamad Rakip in the left flank . He passes it to a fellow attacker, who then passes it back to Chhangte from near the byline. The midfielder moves forward and shoots. The ball goes past the diving keeper and it results in a goal.
59'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : L.Z.Chhangte
57'
Nasty collision
That looks nasty! Messi Bouli in an attempt to take the ball collides with the incoming Anirudh Thapa. They both look in serious pain and the physio is out to have a look at them. The referee signals it as a foul against both the players and shows yellow to Messi Bouli and Anirudh Thapa.
57'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Kerala Blasters FC : MESSI B
57'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Chennaiyin FC : THAPA
52'
Corner
Lallianzuala Chhangte moves with the ball from the left flank and then is about to cross, when he is tackled by Seityasen Singh. The ball goes out for a corner. Nothing much comes out from the corner.
48'
GOAL!!!
What a start from Kerala Blasters FC after the break! They now have a good chance to make a comeback in this game. Jessel Carneiro crosses it inside the box towards Bartholomew Ogbeche. The skipper slides and gets a foot on it. The ball goes into the back of the net.
48'
Goal
Goal - Kerala Blasters FC : OGBECHE
46'
Second half begins
Kerala Blasters FC get us underway in this half. They will attack from left to right in this half.
Chennaiyin FC's dominance
What a first half we have had! The game was going nowhere in the first 35 minutes or so and then it suddenly came to life. Rafael Crivellaro started the scoring in the 39th minute after a goal-keeping error and it was followed by a goal from Nerijus Valskis and another one by Rafael Crivellaro. They started slowly and all of a sudden started attacking more. Chennaiyin FC were rewarded with 3 goals in no time. Those last five minutes before the half time was mayhem and Kerala Blasters FC will be shocked at what has happened in the game so far. They had more possession of the ball but could not make much use of it. They did not trouble Vishal Kaith much in this half and would be looking to attack more in the second half. Will we see a comeback in the second half from the Manjappadas? Join us in a while.
45'
Half time
The referee has blown the whistle and it is Chennaiyin FC 3-0 Kerala Blasters FC at the break.
45'
GOAL!!!
3-0 it is and Chennaiyin FC are ruling the roost here. Just before half-time they have scored 3 goals. Anirudh Thapa passes it to Rafael Crivellaro after they play one-two between them. Crivellaro gets the ball and runs forward. He reaches the box and then slots it past the diving keeper. Chennaiyin FC are dominating!
45'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : CRIVELLARO
45'
Added time
1 minute has been added to the second half.
45'
GOAL!!!
Nerijus Valskis makes it 2-0 and Chennaiyin FC are making easy work of this game. Kerala Blasters FC need something special from their players to make a comeback from here. Nerijus Valskis moves forward with the ball and then passes it to Rafael Crivellaro who beats a few defenders before releasing the back pass to Valskis. The forward shoots and it is into the back of the net.
45'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : VALSKIS
44'
Saved
Andre Schembri passes it to Rafael Crivellaro just outside the edge of the box. Crivellaro takes the shot but the keeper dives to his left and saves it.
41'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Kerala Blasters FC : RAJU. G
39'
GOALLL
Rafael Crivellaro breaks the deadlock and Chennaiyin FC take the lead. This is a big, big mistake from the keeper. TP Rehenesh gets a back pass from Halicharan Narzary. He looks to pass it back but the ball lands on Crivellaro's foot who moves ahead and shoots it into the bottom left corner of the goal. What was TP Rehenesh thinking there? Against the run of play, the visitors have the upper hand.
39'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : CRIVELLARO
36'
Nasty
That's a very nasty foul. Sergio Cidoncha pushes Anirudh Thapa from behind and as Thapa falls, he twists his foot. The physio is out to have a look. He seems really hurt but is continuing. Good signs.
35'
Free kick
Bartholomew Ogbeche near the edge of the box commits a foul on Eli Sabia. The referee signals a free kick.
27'
Tackled
Anirudh Thapa passes it to Andre Schembri in the right flank. He passes it back to Anirudh Thapa. Thapa then gives it to Rafael Crivellaro who takes the ball forward but is tackled by Gianni Zuiverloon.
22'
Penalty?
Seityasen Singh crosses it from the left flank towards Messi Bouli. He tries to score but is tackled by Jerry Lalrinzuala. The ball rolls to Bartholomew Ogbeche and he tries to shoot but it's a weak attempt and the keeper collects it. Bouli is not happy with the call as he wants a penalty.
18'
Corner
First of the game. Chennaiyin FC have earned it and Rafael Crivellaro steps up to take it from the left side. He swings in the cross but it's easily cleared away from danger by Halicharan Narzary.
18'
Foul
Jerry Lalrinzuala commits a foul this time as he trips Sergio Cidoncha in the right flank. The referee does not bring a card.
16'
Chennaiyin FC trying to attack
Chennaiyin FC are trying to get into the opposition box but Kerala Blasters FC have been solid in defense so far and repealing any attack the Marina Machans are trying to make.
11'
Just over the target
A good move developed just outside the box. Messi Bouli and Gianni Zuiverloon get involved as the former plays the return pass to the latter. He lays it in the path of Gianni Zuiverloon who takes a shot but it goes just over the jumping keeper.
8'
Blocked shot
The defenders from Chennaiyin FC are doing a good job here. Messi Bouli takes the ball forward and then looks to shoot but Eli Sabia does well to get in between the ball and he manages to clear it away.
6'
Easy save for the keeper
Bartholomew Ogbeche passes from the right to Jessel Carneiro in the left flank. He takes the ball forward and then shoots but it is straight to the keeper.
4'
Nothing from the free kick
Sergio Cidoncha takes the free kick and the ball goes in front of the goal but it is cleared away by a Chennaiyin FC defender.
3'
Another foul
There has been another foul committed, this time it from the Chennaiyin FC's defender. Anirudh Thapa trips Sergio Cidoncha. The referee lets him go with a warning. Showing restrain, so far.
2'
Early foul
Mohamad Rakip commits an early foul in the game. He tries to tackle Jerry Lalrinzuala for the ball but brings him down in the process. The referee leaves him with just a warning.
1'
Kickoff
Chennaiyin FC get us underway in the first half. They are attacking from left to right in this half.
1'
Toss
Kerala Blasters FC have won the toss and they will attack from right to left.
National Anthem
Both sides make their way out of the tunnel and are standing either side of the referees for the Indian National Anthem.
Chennaiyin FC Playing XI
Vishal Kaith (GK), Laldinliana Renthlei, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Eli Sabia, Lucian Goian (C), Lallianzuala Chhangte, Edwin Vanspaul, Anirudh Thapa, Rafael Crivellaro, Andre Schembri, Nerijus Valskis.
Match 72 of the Indian Super League sees Kerala Blasters hosting Chennaiyin FC. The Manjapadas are coming off back-to-back defeats and are struggling to reach the semi-final stage. The last time when they played at home, they defeated Hyderabad FC 5-1. They will look to take inspiration from that game and give them as many chances to make to the top four. They have been dealt a huge blow as Vlatko Drobarov and Mouhamadou Gning are ruled out of this game due to suspension. This has depleted their defense and now a lot will ride upon the attacking front to get them a victory against a strong Chennaiyin FC side. The Marina Machans, on the other hand, have performed exceptionally well since Owen Coyle took over as the head coach. They have won their last three games and are now lying on 6th in the points table. If they manage to win here, they will move up to fifth displacing Odisha FC. Their attack has been the main reason for their success in the last few games with the attackers scoring 16 goals in their last 7 matches. They do not have a good record away from home though in the past few outings and would look to rectify that in this game. These two sides have met 13 times in the ISL and the Super Machans are leading the head-to-head battle. Will the Marina Machans come out trumps or will Kerala Blasters spoil their party?