The Indian Super League (ISL) match between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Wednesday was an end-to-end affair with both teams giving it their all to pocket three points. There was nothing to separate between the two sides as the match ended 3-3.
The visitors took control of the game with an early lead, but Blasters came back strongly and secured the equaliser through a spot-kick. Chennaiyin scored twice to go up 3-1 before the half-hour mark, leaving the loud and passionate home crowd shell-shocked. However, the Yellow Brigade pushed hard and drew parity in the 59th minute.
This hard-fought draw is as good as a win, I must say. If luck was on their side, Blasters could have even won the game. (Ivan) Vukomanovic and his boys deserve all credit for fighting back from 1-3 down to salvage a 3-3 draw. The goals scored by Kwame Peprah and Dimitrios Diamantakos were absolute stunners.
Blasters were desperate for a goal from Peprah. In fact, I was also eagerly waiting for the Ghanaian's first goal in the ISL. I hope this terrific strike would lift his confidence and he would be able to perform without pressure in the upcoming matches.
I have a message for the Kochi crowd. The boost a lively crowd gives to the home team has a strong and significant impact on the team's performance especially when your team is trailing. You should cheer for your team not only when they play well and score goals but also when the going gets tough.
When Blasters were trailing by 1-3, the home crowd almost went silent. It is unacceptable. Like the Anfield crowd during Liverpool's home matches in the English Premier League, you need to cheer like crazy till the final whistle and lift the spirits of the players. Any opposition will find it intimidating.
(The writer is a former captain of the Indian football team)
