ISl 2018-19: Inspired subs rescue Kerala Blasters FC against Jamshedpur FC

Full-time report: David James' second-half substitutions, saved the day for Kerala Blasters FC against Jamshedpur FC who were absolutely flying at 2-0 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex.

Earlier in the match, Tim Cahill scored this edition's fastest-ever goal when he put Jamshedpur ahead with a header in the third minute. Jamshedpur got a corner and Cidoncha put in an outswinging delivery and Cahill moved away from his his marker to put in a diving header and make it 1-0 in favour of Jamshedpur.

The home team got their second goal, courtsey a beautiful strike by Soosairaj in the 31st minute. Cido got at the end of a throw-in near the Chennai box and played it on for Soosairaj who drove inside the box on the left and curled a powerful shot inside the side-netting of the far post!

Kerala tried to recover by slowing the tempo of the game and building from the back but incessant pressing from Jamshedpur -- who haven't been too clincial in their passing either -- has prevented them from getting a goal.

With their backs held against the wall, James made the changes in personnel and Seiminlen Doungel who justified his manager's choice, when, in the 71st minute he won a challenge on the left of the box and put in a cross for Stojanovic who was unmarked and his shot on the volley hit the back of the net to make it 2-1.

A relieved Stojanovic celebrated widly, what with the penalty he had missed in the 54th minute after earning it himself. He had fired his penalty kick on the left side but veteran goalkeeper guessed it correctly and then made himself big to avoid a goal on the follow-up shot. 

Nearly 20 minutes later, Doungel would again drive to the byline on the left and cut it back in a Jordi Alba-esque manner for CK Vineeth who hammered it home to make it 2-2.

An inspired Kerala kept pushing forward to find the winner and they could have got one had Stojanovic not fluffed a chance late in the extra-time when he received a cross in the right, controlled it with nobody to challenge but then fired his shot away from the target.

The draw sends Jamshedpur to the fourth spot with seven points from five games while Kerala stay in the seventh spot with six points from four games.

9:26 PM

Full-time match report ahead.

9:25 PM

Minute 90+3 -- Stojanovic gets a wonderful opportunity to win it in extra-time. He receives a cross in the right, controls it with nobody to challenge but fires his shot away from the target

9:22 PM

Minute 90 -- Three minutes of additional time

9:22 PM

Minute 91 (YELLOW CARDS) -- A bit of a controversy among the rival players prompts the referee to brandish the yellow card at Balmuchu and Doungel

9:21 PM

Minute 90 -- Doungel's introduction in the second half has really hanged the game for Kerala who have showed more teth in the attack since he came on the pitch

9:17 PM

Minute 86 (GOAL!!) -- CK Vineeth scores a late equaliser!!! Kerala are back in the game. It's Doungel again who drives to the byline on the left and cuts it back in a Jordi Alba-esque manner for Vineeth who hammers it home to make it 2-2

9:14 PM

Minute 84 -- Stojanovic's cross from the right is easily dealt with by Paul

9:12 PM

Minute 81 -- Attack at both ends! Vineeth gets the ball on the right and looks to curl it in for onrushing Stojanovic in the middle but instead puts it in the arms of Paul. Jamshedpur attack down the other end and now Carlos Calvo has the opportunity to put in the cross but is blocked out for a corner

9:10 PM

Minute 79 -- (SUBSTITUTION FOR JAMSHEDPUR) Farukh out, Jerry in

9:06 PM

Minute 75 (DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION FOR JAMSHEDPUR) -- Goal-scorer Soosairaj makes way for Passi, and Cahill is replaced by Calvo

9:03 PM

Minute 71 (GOAL!!) -- Stojanovic pulls one back with an absolute banger!! Doungel wins a challenge on the left of the box and puts in the cross for Stojanovic who is unmarked and his shot on the volley hits the back of the net to make it 2-1

8:58 PM

Minute 67 (SUBSTITUTION FOR KERALA) -- Narzary makes way for Doungel

8:56 PM

Mintue 64 -- Jamshedpur get a free-kick outside the box on the right. Cido's free-kick dips towards the far post and Naveen Kumar has a problem handling it and concedes a corner. That ball could have gone anywhere

8:53 PM

Minute 62 -- The last five minutes or so, both the teams have spent much of their time in the middle of the park

8:48 PM

Minute 57 (YELLOW CARD) -- Yumnam drives forward with pace and Samad, beaten by pace, drags his shirt to stop him, thus earning a yellow card