It is easy to score against Kerala Blasters, Bengaluru FC show the way

Kerala Blasters have conceded 21 goals in 11 ISL matches this season, of which a good number came from major defensive errors, which is the highest in the league.

But in the first half of their encounter at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, Bengaluru FC found an easier way to score against the Blasters. The tactic is rather simple - swing in crosses.

To be specific, target the area between the goalkeeper and the line of defenders. In the first 25 minutes alone, Bengaluru swung in at least four brilliant crosses, scoring from one and nearly from two others.  

On all occasions, Blasters goalkeeper Sachin Suresh was undecided, while the backline of centre-backs Hormipam and Alexandre Coeff, right-back Sandeep Singh and left-back Naocha Singh looked blissfully unaware of their opponents' positioning.

Had Ryan Williams been a little taller, he would have at least hit the target from an early Suresh cross. After Roshan sent a tempting one over the Blasters defence, Bengaluru were rewarded for their shrewd tactic when Willaims, unchallenged on the right, swung one to the far post, where captain Sunil Chhetri outjumped Sandeep to score from a header. The veteran striker almost scored with his head a little later when Nikhil Poojary was given time and space to pick his man with a cross from the right.

The Blasters' defence failed to read their opposition's intention each time. Gerard Zaragoza's side, managed by his assistant Renedy Singh on the night, clearly knows that young Sachin in the Kerala goal is error-prone and has only successfully punched one ball in seven appearances this season. If the Blasters don't find a fix to their growing defensive woes, clean sheets would be difficult to come by, and maybe even points.