New Delhi: Anwar Ali started for the first time for East Bengal since his controversial transfer from Mohun Bagan but it was his error that led to a late goal and a 2-1 loss to Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League in Kochi on Sunday.
It was the Kolkata side’s second successive defeat in the league that kept them winless after two matches and increased the pressure on head coach Carles Cuadrat who has now lost four successive matches across competitions.
It was goalless at half time and after the change of ends the away team took the lead through substitute P Vishnu who scored with a simple tap-in after Dimitrios Diamantakos laid it on his path after a defensive mistake from Kerala.
But East Bengal’s vulnerable defence wasn’t able to hold on to the lead even for five minutes as Noah Sadaoui wrong-footed his marker to enter the box and then sent the ball through the legs of Prabhsukhan Gill to equalise.
With a vociferous crowd support egging them on, Kerala then upped the ante and were rewarded for their approach as another substitute Kwame Peprah scored the match winner with a left footed grounder on the 88th minute.
Peprah capitalised on an inaccurate pass from Anwar, who stood rooted as the ball went between his legs and into the near post of Gill, who was equally motionless and culpable for both the goals in some way.
It was the 12th goal after the 85th minute mark in ISL in the first 11 games of the season that gave Kerala their first win after losing to Punjab in the opening round.
Kerala’s nest game is against NorthEast United on September 29 while East Bengal, who lost 0-1 to Bengaluru FC in their opener, face FC Goa on September 27 in their next match.
Kerala Blasters rallied to beat East Bengal 2-1 in their ISL match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
