Kochi: Kerala Blasters were left to rue poor finishing as they were held to a goalless draw by Chennaiyin FC in a crucial Indian Super League match here on Friday.
Blasters midfielder Courage Pekuson missed a penalty while striker C K Vineeth failed miserably to hit the target off rebounds in each half. Chennaiyin goalkeeper Karnajit Singh had a superb game as he pulled off a number of saves to help his side earn a precious point.
In the end, Blasters were lucky to escape with a draw as goalkeeper Paul Rachubka's brilliance and the post denied Gregory Nelson in injury time.
The draw leaves Blasters in the fifth spot with 25 points from 17 games. They have to win the final group game against table toppers Bengaluru FC on March 1 and hope other results go their way in order to qualify for the semifinals. If fourth-placed Jamshedpur FC win either of their remaining games against Bengaluru or FC Goa, it will be the end of the road for Blasters.
Chennaiyin, meanwhile, moved a step closer to the semifinals and stayed in third spot with 29 points from 17 games.
Pekuson missed the penalty for Blasters in the 53rd minute. The Ghanaian's weak kick was saved by Karanjit who moved correctly to his right side. Gudjon Baldvinsson had won Blasters the spot kick after he was felled by Jerry Lalrinzuala.
Karanjit keeps Baldvinsson at bay
Karanjit denied Icelandic striker Baldvinsson on a couple of occasions later in the second half much to the disappointment of the partisan crowd who had thronged the stadium to cheer Blasters in their final home game of the group stage.
The teams adopted an aggressive game plan from the start. Blasters midfielder Jackichand Singh pounced on a loose ball and let one rip in the 11th minute, but Karanjit was equal to the task. Couple of minutes later Vineeth muffed a golden chance as he failed to connect off a rebound after Karanjit could only parry away a powerful shot by Pekuson.
Midway through the first half Vineeth shook the Chennaiyin post with a cracking shot from the edge of the box, but it would not have counted as the referee had blown his whistle for a foul by Bladvinsson.
Dimitar Berbatov, who was included in the Blasters first eleven, got into the thick of action in the 31st. But his shot off a corner-kick was deflected off Dhanapal Ganesh.
Blasters heaved a sigh of relief as Chennaiyin striker Jeje Lalpekhlua missed a sitter as he shot wide after a delightful move with Rene Mihelic on the stroke of half-time.