Deependra Negi of Kerala Blasters celebrates after scoring a goal against Delhi Dynamos. Photo: ISLKochi: Teenager Deependra Negi stole the show on debut to hand Kerala Blasters a comeback 2-1 win over Delhi Dynamos in their ISL match here on Saturday.
Negi, who replaced Karan Sawhney at the start of the second half, scored off a corner kick in the 48th minute to make it 1-1. The 19-year-old then won a penalty, which was coolly converted by Iain Hume in the 75th to pocket three valuable points for the home side in front of co-owner Sachin Tendulkar and a rather thin attendance of 16,796.
The diminutive Negi had almost scored a second in the 58th, but his header went wide.
The win lifted Blasters to fifth spot in the 10-team league and kept alive their semifinal hopes. The Yellow Brigade have 17 points from 13 matches, while Delhi remain at the rock bottom with just seven points from 12 games.
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
Kerala Blasters players celebrate after scoring a goal against Delhi Dynamos. Photo: ISL
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
Delhi Dynamos goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma pulls off a save during the ISL match against Kerala Blasters. Photo: ISL
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
A Kerala Blasters fan during the ISL match in Kochi. Photo: ISL
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
Players in action during the ISL match between Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos. Photo: ISL
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
Deependra Singh Negi, right, of Kerala Blasters in action during the ISL match against Delhi Dynamos. Photo: ISL
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
Kerala Blasters fans during the ISL match in Kochi. Photo: ISL
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
Iain Hume of Kerala Blasters celebrates a goal during the ISL match against Delhi Dynamos. Photo: ISL
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ISL Season 4: Kerala Blasters vs Delhi Dynamos
Players in action during the ISL match in Kochi. Photo: ISL
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Prasanth's error
Delhi captain Kalu Uche had converted a penalty to hand his side a 1-0 lead at the half-time break. The Nigerian calmly slotted past Subhasish Roy Chaudhary in the Blasters goal in the 35th minute from the spot after Kerala player Prasanth K had pulled down Seityasen Singh to concede the penalty.
After a fairly quiet opening, the game came alive when Milan Singh's powerful shot was parried away by Delhi goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma. Though Hume slotted in the rebound it was deemed off side in the 12th.
Arnab came to Delhi's rescue soon as he thwarted an onrushing C K Vineeth.
Delhi were forced to make an early substitution after defender Pritam Kotal picked up an injury. He was replaced by Mohammad Dhot.
Subhasish Roy Chaudhary pulled off a fine save to keep out an attempt by Matias Mirabaje in the 26th.
Blasters fielded eight Indian players in their first eleven. Blasters' striker Dimitar Berbatov, Ugandan midfielder Kizito Keziron and defender Rino Anto continued to be on the sidelines owing to injuries.
Blasters next meet FC Pune City in an away fixture on February 2.
