Kochi: Iain Hume’s 23rd minute goal proved the decisive winner as Kerala Blasters beat Pune City FC by a solitary goal and book a semifinal spot in the Hero Indian Super League football tournament on Tuesday.
By virtue of the win, the Sachin Tendulkar co-owned side collected 19 points after their last league engagements, to be at third spot behind Chennaiyin FC (23 points) and Goa FC (21 points with one match at hand).
The last spot for the semifinals will be decided by Atletico de Kolkata’s home match against Goa FC today.
If ATK — on 18 points — draw or win their final league match tomorrow, they will qualify for the semifinals ahead of Delhi Dynamos (18 points after the end of league engagements).
But, if ATK lose today by two-goal margin, Delhi will be through to the semifinals as goal-difference with decide who progresses between two teams on same points in the league stage. ATK now has plus three goal difference as against plus two of Delhi.
Kerala’s victory over Pune also virtually rendered today’s last league match in Guwahati between NorthEast United and Mumbai City FC an inconsequential tie. Mumbai, on 15 points, will need to win with more than 10-goal margin over NorthEast to have any chance of making to the semifinals.
NorthEast have no chance of making it to the semifinals as even a win today against Mumbai will give them only 17 points in total.
Italian legend Alessandro del Piero scored his first goal at the fag end of the tournament via a superb free-kick as Delhi Dynamos rallied from two goal down to hold leaders Chennaiyin FC 2-2 in a thrilling Indian Super League football match here on Tuesday.
The draw gave Delhi a small chance to make it to the semifinals as their qualification will now depend on the results of today’s matches.
Chennaiyin, who now have 23 points after their league engagements ended on Tuesday, and Goa FC (21 points with one match left) have already qualified for the semifinals.
Delhi have also ended their league engagements with 18 points and their fate may be decided by the result of today’s match between Atletico de Kolkata — who also have 18 points — and Goa FC in Kolkata.
A win will seal ATK a place in the last four but a loss against Goa today by a two-goal margin may create problems for them. ATK have a goal difference of three as against two of Delhi. A loss for ATK tomorrow by two-goal margin will see their goal difference reduce to just one.
Delhi looked the better of the two teams at the start of the game and set about attacking with purpose. They did threaten the Chennaiyin citadel time and again but were unable to make the most of their chances. The Brazilian Pelissari stepped up and curled his flag-kick directly past Kristof Van Hout and into the far corner for a sensational opener in the 16th minute that set the home side on their way. Things did not get better for the visitors following the goal as Mads Junker went down with an injury and was replaced by Del Piero in the 23rd minute. (PTI)