Kerala's first win ends Mumbai's unbeaten run

Michael Chopra's 58th minute goal helped Kerala Blasters to their first win of the 2016 ISL. The 1-0 result handed Mumbai City FC their first defeat this year.

The hosts dominated possession and controlled the game for the most part and Chopra's goal came after a flurry of wasted chances in the first half. It was also Kerala's first goal of this season and their first win over MCFC in ISL history.

Steve Coppell made three changes for Kerala - bringing in Aaron Hughes, Kervens Belfort and Mohammed Rafi in place of Pratik Chowdhary, Duckens Nazon and Antonio German. The 4-2-3-1 formation saw last game's Man-of-the-Match Sandesh Jhingan move to right back to make way for Hughes and Cedric Hengbart in central defence. Alexandre Guimaraes also made three changes to the side that drew against ATK. Anwar Ali and Facundo Cardozo replaced Gerson Vieira and Sena Ralte in defence, while David Lalrinmuana replaced the suspended Pronay Halder.

Mohammad Rafi had a chance to put KBFC ahead within seconds of kick-off when Kervens Belfort's cross found him unmarked inside the MCFC box, but his header went straight to the keeper Roberto Tigrao. Two minutes later, Rafi missed another golden chance to put the hosts ahead, slicing his shot wide after being put through by Jhingan. He had another decent chance in the 5th minute when Lucian Goian's backward header nearly fell to him in the box.

The front trio of Matias Defederico, Leo Costa and Boithang Haokip, who caused the ATK defence all sorts of trouble in the last game, struggled to find space and retain the ball against the Kerala defence. Hughes and Hengbart were rarely troubled, comfortably winning aerial duels and allowing Josu  Currias and Jhingan to venture forward.

Even so, the hosts failed to capitalize on the early dominance. Belfort scuffed his shot in the 18th minute following a decent Jhingan cross from the right. Josu tried his luck from long range in the 28th minute, but the effort was well wide.

Michael Chopra had a chance to put the hosts ahead in the 45th minute. After collecting a cross-field ball from Josu in the MCFC box, he managed a low shot, which was saved by the diving Tigrao. With seconds to go in the half, Rafi wasted yet another chance to score, his free header from a corner going high.

Despite 68% possession and 9 attempts on goal, Kerala failed to break the deadlock at half-time.

Mumbai were fortunate to have 11 men on the field in the first half, with Aiborlang Khongjee being let off with a warning twice -- first after a tackle from behind on Belfort which prevented a break away and then a dangerous two-footed tackle on Mehtab Hossein. The visitors made one change at the break, with Jackichand Singh coming on for Lalrinmuana.

The hosts started the second half brightly, with Mohammed Rafique winning a free-kick near the MCFC box after a reckless challenge by Cardozo, who was lucky to get away with a yellow. Josu's attempt from the resulting set piece went wide. Azrack Mahamat then had a decent attempt on target in the 53rd minute following a nice one-two with Michael Chopra.

The Blasters finally took the lead in the 58th minute, when Belfort's mishit shot fell to Michael Chopra inside the box. The striker calmly slotted the ball in the right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.

It took 327 minutes into the new season for the home side to finally score their first goal and returning signing Chopra to get off the mark.

Mumbai made two changes soon after the goal, Goian and Boithang making way for Sena Ralte and Sony Norde.

Norde nearly put Mumbai level in the 69th minute, leaving two Kerala defenders in his trail and getting a shot away, only to see Hughes' last ditch interception deflect the ball over.

That turned out to be MCFC's only clear chance in the second half as Kerala held on for a win.

Kerala next face a trip to FC Pune City on October 17, while Mumbai face Delhi away on October 18.