Vasco, Dec 26: Greg Stewart struck a sensational goal but Jamshedpur FC eventually played out a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters, who were saved by Sahal Abdul Samad’s equaliser, in their Indian Super League match here on Sunday.
Stewart scored a stunning goal from a free kick in the 14th minute but his strike was cancelled out by Samad who scored his third successive goal in the 27th minute.
Both teams looked for the winning goal but had to be content with a point each in the end.
The result meant Kerala Blasters are now third in the table with 13 points from eight matches while Jamshedpur are second, having the same number of points from eight games but ahead on goals scored.
Stewart showed early signs of continuing his purple patch with a wonderful first touch to receive a ball on the edge of the box but the Scottish forward’s attempt went wide of goal.
Minutes later, the 31-year old scored an incredible goal from a free-kick after Boris Singh was hacked down by Harmanjot Khabra on the inside left channel. Showing skill of the highest order, Stewart curled a left-footer around the Kerala wall to beat the keeper.
Kerala did not take long to equalise largely due to Alvaro Vazquez’s spadework as he spun around Peter Hartley and then skipped past another white shirt to shoot on goal, only for TP Rehenesh to dive low and pull off a good save but as far as Samal who turned in the rebound to extend his scoring spree.
At half time, both teams went into the break with the scores level. Soon after the restart, Stewart picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Khabra and at the other end Vazquez’s delicious chip came off the crossbar after Hartley uncharacteristically failed to clear the ball.
Both sides upped the ante and it was end to end stuff in the last half hour or so. Vazquez forced Rehenesh into action with a low shot that went for a corner. (PTI)
