ISL: A Malayali breaks Kerala Blasters hearts in Kolkata

Kerala Blasters' three-game unbeaten run in the ISL was halted by East Bengal that sealed a thrilling 2-1 win in Kolkata on Friday.

East Bengal avenged their defeat in Kochi earlier in the season by the same scoreline. Malayali striker P V Vishnu, who scored in that defeat, was yet again on the score sheet for the Bengal side.

Hijazi Maher's 72nd-minute header was the difference in the end, and substitute Danish Farooq's sublime volley in the 84th minute proved a mere consolation for the visitors.

The Blasters could have gone seventh in the points table with a win, but they remain eighth, three points short of the playoff position. East Bengal ended their three-game losing streak, but remain 11th in the table. With 17 points from 17 rounds, the Bengal side are still way off the top-six.

With striker Jesus Jimenez back in the playing XI for T G Purushothaman's side, they made a confident start, but went the whole first half without a shot on target. Goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, who has come under scrutiny for his unconvincing performances, made a low diving save to deny former Blasters striker Dimitrios Diamantakos early on. He so nearly conceded inside 20 minutes after spilling a Cleiton Silva freekick, before scrambling to get the ball away from danger.

However, the hosts broke the deadlock through Kasaragod native Vishnu, who ran on to collect a long diagonal from Silva, before beating Freddy for pace. He still had a lot to do with Sachin barging out of his goal. Vishnu then calmly sent the ball into the empty net with a delicate dink, which a covering Korou Singh failed to clear.

East Bengal so nearly doubled the lead when Diamantakos found Silva in the box with a cut back. The Brazilian positioned himself smartly before taking an early shot on the volley, but it was at a comfortable height for Sachin to tip over the bar.

After 35 minutes Venezuelan Richard Celis took the Blasters defence by surprise with a shot from range. Sachin thought it was going out, but the ball rattled the post and stayed out to the relief of the visitors.

With a goal to the good, the hosts appeared more confident in the second half, and Celis made them seem exciting in possession with his stylish play. Diamantakos had the first big chance of the second half in the 50th minute. The Greek striker cut onto his left foot and tested Sachin, but the Blasters keeper collected.

The Blasters made their first substitution shortly before the hour by bringing on striker Kwame Peprah for defender Milos Drincic. While the visitors appeared determined to get an equaliser, another goal was scored at the other end when Hijazi Maher jumped higher to head home from close range.

Midfielder Farooq almost proved to be a game-changer when he converted within minutes of coming on. He scored from a brilliant volley in the 83rd minute to reduce the deficit. But the hosts held on to the narrow advantage to the disappointment of the travelling fans.