There were no goals between Kerala Blasters FC and Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday.
Kibu Vicuna had set up Kerala Blasters in a 4-4-2 formation while Owen Coyle deployed Jamshedpur in a 4-3-3 formation.
The first real chance fell to Jamshedpur following a mistake by Blasters goalkeeper Albino Gomes in the 7th minute. Ricky Lallawmawma made a clearance from inside his own half. The ball went to the other side outside the edge of the box. Albino Gomes decided to come out of his line and looked to play the pass out first time. However, the keeper miss-hit it and the ball went straight to Nerijus Valskis. The JFC skipper took a couple of touches before unleashing a shot. Albino Gomes rushes back to his position and probably got his fingertips on it. The ball hit the post before Bakary Kone saw off the danger.
Jamshedpur keeper TP Rehenesh was forced to make a good save in the 26th minute. A long ball was played in the center of the field. Narender Gahlot and Jordan Murray went for it. Narender Gahlot missed to head the ball away and Murray ran to gather the ball. He dashed forward to the right and whipped in a cross across the 6-yard box. TP Rehenesh dived across while Stephen Eze also came to clear it. The keeper got his hand on the ball, which deflected off one of the defenders for a corner. TP Rehenesh was down in pain and replays showed that Stephen Eze's studs hit him on the chest while attempting to do the clearance.
Nerijus Valskis should have put Jamshedpur in the lead on the half hour mark. An attack from the right side resulted in the ball being played to Aitor Monroy just outside the box. He spotted Valskis inside the box and chipped it over the Kerala Blasters defenders. Nerijus Valskis timed his run well to get to the ball but failed to make clear contact. He missed a sitter.
Gary Hooper found the back of the net in the 35th minute but his celebrations were cut short as the linesman had his flag up for offside.
A long ball was played to Jordan Murray, who headed the ball on to the path of Gary Hooper. The striker headed and chested it to control. He then played it back to Murray before making a run. Murray took a couple of touches and made space before playing a low cross at the far post for Gary Hooper who slotted it home the first time. Hooper though was a fraction early in making his run and was flagged offside.
Gary Hooper hit the crossbar in the 41st minute with TP Rehenesh well beaten. Two minutes later, Jordan Murray's header also hit the bar.
Blasters should have scored just before the half time whistle. Sahal Abdul Samad played the ball to Sandeep Singh on the right. The full back put in a very good cross inside the box. Jordan Murray dived and headed it on target. TP Rehenesh dived to his right and made a good save. However, the ball fell to Lalthathanga Khawlhring. He unleashed a shot with his left foot but it came off the bar.
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Jamshedpur was lucky not to be behind at half time. Kerala Blasters were wondering how they did not score.
It was pretty much the same story in the second half except the lack of clear chances. Only poor finishing and some good defending and goalkeeping kept the score 0-0.
The result moved Jamshedpur up to 7th with 15 points from 14 games. Kerala also moved one spot ahead to 8th with 15 points from 14 games.
