ISL: Luna powers Kerala Blasters past Jamshedpur

AK Biju Raj /Focus Sports/ISL

---

Kerala Blasters FC secured their second straight win of the Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23) season as they beat Jamshedpur FC 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday.

The home side's captain, Adrian Luna, was the star of the game with a 74th-minute winner. This was the Uruguayan's second goal of the season.

Kerala Blasters had the first chance to open the scoring Jeakson Singh pressed high, won the ball and played a short pass to Luna. The skipper dribbled closer to the goal and had the chance to shoot, but opted for an unconventional approach: instead of shooting, she chipped the ball over Jamshedpur goalkeeper Rehenesh TP and the ball sailed over the post.

It was Jamshedpur's turn next to nearly score as Seiminlen Doungel's header went inches wide. Nikhil Baria found significant space on the right flank and curled a cross for Doungel. The visiting side had another opportunity early in the second half substitute Emil Benny received the ball on the right-hand side and sent in a probing delivery to Jeremy Manzorro.

He tried to half-volley the ball into the net on his first touch but couldn't give it the right direction as it ended up going wide off the crossbar. Fifteen minutes later, Chukwu controlled a free-kick on the move and tried to get the ball past the Kerala goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, but to no avail.

Finally, it was Luna who landed the decisive blow thanks to a cohesive attacking effort by Daisuke Sakai, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and him. Sakai played a quick pass to Diamantakos inside the box, who backheeled the ball to Luna. The 31-year-old calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to seal the win.

Kerala Blasters will now travel to Mumbai on October 8, while Jamshedpur FC host Hyderabad FC on October 5.