Two second-half goals from Kwesi Appiah and Idrissa Sylla help NorthEast United FC hold Kerala Blasters FC to a 2-2 in an Indian Super League (ISL) match on Thursday in Bambolim.
Home team Kerala took a two-goal lead in the first half after Cido and Hooper found themselves on the scoresheet.
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Cido scored from a header while Hooper scored from the penalty spot. Kerala started off the second half in the best possible manner, by reducing the lead within 7 minutes, News 18 reported.
Appiah scored the goal for the Highlanders. The same man had a chance to bring the away team level but he missed a penalty.
Then right at the death, Appiah’s substitute Sylla scored the equalising goal with a powerful shot as the two teams shared the spoils at GMC Stadium in Bambolim.
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After a minute’s silence to honour late Diego Maradona, Kerala got off to a dream start with Cidoncha heading in a Seityasen free-kick in the 5th minute.
In the 23rd minute, Hooper fluffed a sitter when NorthEast’s defense was caught off guard.
Cidoncha, after receiving the ball from Hooper, squared it back to him, with the Englishman facing an open goal. Hooper’s first-time shot, though, blazed over the bar.
Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances until the end of the first half when an offensive move from Kerala ended with the referee pointing to the spot.
NorthEast keeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury managed to get a foot to it, but the touch wasn’t enough to keep the ball out, Inside Sport reported.
The Highlanders started the second-half positively and were soon rewarded for their intent. Some poor defending by Kerala allowed Appiah to score from close range.
In the end, the draw ensured that NorthEast remained unbeaten after two games.