89th minute own goal knocks out 10-man Kerala Blasters from Super Cup

Ten-man Kerala Blasters suffered a heartbreak in the dying minutes of a must-win Super Cup tie against Mumbai City in Goa on Thursday.

The Blasters were forced to defend deep for the entire second half after defender Sandeep Singh was sent off for two yellow cards in the first half injury time.

Despite defending bravely, Freddy netted an own goal in the 89th minute while attempting to make a half-hearted clearance within a metre or two from his goal.

The ball lofted into the area by former Blasters striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz was meant for Jon Toral, who had apparently given up, but in their desperation to clear, Freddy and Saheef lost sight of the ball, and the former unwittingly turned it into his own net.

Both Blasters and Mumbai finished level on 6 points in Group D, but it was the latter that advanced on head-to-head result. A draw would have been enough for David Catala's Blasters to reach the semifinals. Mumbai will play Goa, and East Bengal and Punjab are drawn in the other semifinals.

Both sides had good chances in the first half. Tiago Alves came close with a curler that missed the far post for the Blasters, while Nora Fernandes made a brilliant diving save to deny Chhangte. Phurba kept out Juan Rodrigues ' glancing header.

Sandeep got his first yellow card for a reckless tackle. The right back then earned himself a second yellow by grabbing the shirt of Vikram Pratap, who had outwitted him on the flank. Catala was furious to see his defender put the side in trouble with a silly foul. The Blasters’ wait for their maiden trophy continues.