Kerala Blasters and NorthEast United played out a 2-2 draw in a high octane clash in the Indian Super League on Thursday evening. The Blasters coming on the back of a 1-0 defeat against ATK Mohun Bagan looked to return to their winning ways and secured a lead in the fifth minute of the game with a goal from skipper Sergio Cidoncha. Cidoncha converted a free-kick curled into the NorthEast United penalty box from fellow midfielder SeityaSen as he rose highest to head the ball into the net past United goalkeeper Subhasish.

Kerala came close to doubling their lead in the 21st minute but striker Gary Hooper squandered a tap-in opportunity from 6-yards. Ahead of half time, North East United conceded a penalty after Lalthathanga Khawlhring was brought down in the NEUFC box, striker Gary Hooper converted the penalty kick, scoring his first goal of the ISL and Kerala doubled their lead ahead of the break.

Heading into half-time Kerala had a comfortable 2-0 lead over Gerard Nus coached NorthEast side. 

Having won their first game against Mumbai City by a slender margin, NEUFC was staring down the barrel after the first 45 minutes, and needed nothing short of a miracle to script a comeback. Following the break, coach Nus made a tactical change as striker Rakesh Pradhan was replaced by Britto PM and the Northeast franchise clawed their way back into the game when fellow striker Kwesi Appiah scored a vital goal in the 51st minute to give his side a fighting chance.

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NEUFC, however, missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 66th minute after Lalengmawai was brought down by Kerala defender Jessel Allan Carneiro. Kwesi Appiah squandered the opportunity to level scores and put his shot wide.

Following the disappointing penalty miss, NEUFC made a double change with Idrissa Sylla and Luis Miguel Machado replacing Kwesi Appiah and Federico Revetria. 

Sylla’s substitution proved crucial as the Guinean footballer scored the crucial equalising goal for his NEUFC side in the 90th minute.

The NorthEast side managed to salvage a draw in a match that saw Kerala squander a 2-0 lead. The Highlanders moved top of the table courtesy their draw and now have four points from their two games. Kerala managed to get their first point of the tournament and currently occupy the eight spot on the ISL table.