ISL: Peprah gives Kerala Blasters fans memorable final home game

Kwame Peprah scored the solitary goal against Mumbai City FC in Kochi on Friday, giving Kerala Blasters fans a memorable final home match of the Indian Super League (ISL) season.

Peprah scored from a tight angle in the 52nd minute to give the Blasters a first home win since January 13, when they defeated Odisha FC 3-2.

Mumbai had come to Kochi hoping to secure the final playoff spot, but they must now wait until March 11 to play Bengaluru FC. Mumbai are tied on 33 points with Odisha FC and will finish sixth with a point.

Lallianzuala Chhangte had the first chance in the match when a 10th-minute attempt rattled the post. The Blasters pushed forward, and they almost took the lead when the in-form Korou Singh found Ishan Pandita in the box with an accurate cross, but the opportunity was wasted. Milos Drincic, too, failed to score a header, with Phurba Lachenpa making a great save.

Peprah's brilliant strike gave the hosts a deserved lead in the second half. In the 60th minute, Vikram Partap Singh failed to score from a header, which could have hurt them because Peprah had a brilliant chance at the other end.

The visitors almost equalised through skipper Chhangte, who missed the target in the 74th minute. Mohammed Aimen made a smart run on the left flank three minutes later but only forced a save from Lachenpa.

Mumbai had a late chance when Vikram had a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by the Blasters' latest recruit, Bikash Yumnam. The Blasters will wrap up their season against Hyderabad FC in Hyderabad on March 12.