ISL 2018, Kerala Blasters vs Chennaiyin FC: Kerala Blasters win 3-0.ISL 2018-19, Kerala Blasters vs Chennaiyin FC Highlights: Kerala Blasters FC notched only their second win of the Indian Super League season after a comprehensive 3-0 win over rivals Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi on Friday. Matej Poplatnik scored a brace (23′, 55′) to put Kerala Blasters in the driving seat and young midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad finished things off in the 71st minute to score his first ever ISL goal and end his team’s 14-game winless run.
Chennaiyin on the other hand see their nightmare season continue after their 12th loss of the season. They are rooted to the bottom spot with eight points from 16 games, while Kerala have climbed to the eighth spot.
Full time
Kerala Blasters beat defending champions Chennaiyin FC 3-0 in Southern Derby. Kerala's 14-match winless streak comes to an end.
SAVE
What a brilliant save by Dheeraj Singh as he punches the ball out to make sure the hosts do not concede any goals after a free kick by Isaac Vanmalsawma.
Extra time
Four minutes of added time towards the end of the game. Any possibility of a goal from Chennaiyin?
Close
Dheeraj Singh yet again denies the visitors from opening their account as Jeje makes an attempt from close range.
Yellow
Kerala Blasters' Cyril Kali sees a yellow after stepping on Thapa's foot.
SAVE
Isaac Vanmalsawma takes the corner, finds the head of Mailson Alves, who sends it on target but Dheeraj Singh is at the right place again to make the save.
Substitution
Seiminlen Doungel is replaced by replaced by Prasanth for Kerala Blasters as the match reaches the final ten minutes.
Substitution
Isaac Vanmalsawma comes on to replace already booked Gregory Nelson for Chennaiyin FC
GOAALLLL
GOAL! Sahal Abdul Samad makes it 3-0 for the hosts Kerala Blasters in #SouthernDerby as they take advantage of Chennaiyin FC defence blunder. A deflection though from the foot of Tondonba Singh sees the ball just lie there for Samad to take full advantage.
Booking
Gregory Nelson goes down in the referee's book after Cyril Kali crashes into him. A frustrated Nelson is shown the yellow card after kicking the ball angrily towards the referee.
Medical attention
Cyril Kali is down on the field with some discomfort. The medical team is called for.
Another substitution
Courage Pekuson departs to have Nikola Krcmarevic take his place for Kerala Blasters.
Substitution
Thoi Singh comes in for Francisco Fernandes as Chennaiyin FC make their second change.
SAVE
Dheeraj Singh ensures that his side keep the scoreline clean as Raphael Augusto almost pulls one back with a strike on target but the U-17 star for India keeps the danger out.
Substitution
Substitution for Chennaiyin FC: Christopher Herd is replaced by Anirudh Thapa. That's the first substitution for the visitors.
GOAAALLL
GOAL! Matej Poplatnik finds the net again to double Kerala Blasters lead over Chennaiyin FC. This is also the 200th goal of ISL 2018-19. Sahal's shot was wide, but Slavisa collects it and sends it towards Poplatnik and he sends a rocket of a shot to make it 2-0 for Kerala.
Substitution
Keziron Kizito makes way for Cyrlil Kali for Kerala Blasters
Medical attention
Kizito is in need of medical attention, he is being accompanied to the sidelines by the medical team.
Second half
The second half of Southern Derby underway between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC, who get the ball rolling.
Half-time
The referee blows the whistle. Kerala Blasters go into the half-time of the Southern Derby with 1-0 lead over Chennaiyin FC.
Dangerous
The visitors Chennaiyin FC receive a free-kick from a dangerous position after a foul on Gregory just outside the box in the extra time. Gregory Nelson takes the free kick from the left. He tries to put a cross in but Matej Poplatnik gets on the way and clears it away.
Save
Dheeraj Singh was at the right place to make the save off Jeje Lalpekhlua, who shoots on target. Kerala maintain their lead as the match gets close to the half-time.
Chance for Kerala
Pekuson sends a fiery shot towards goal with a volley but it was straight at the keeper. Kerala are looking to double their lead with a few minutes to go for the half-time.
Chance for Chennaiyin
Francis' low cross in from the right is received by Jeje, who sets Vineeth up, but his shot is blazed high over the bar.
GOAAALL
GOAL! Matej Poplatnik heads the ball into empty net to give hosts Kerala Blasters 1-0 lead. Pekuson sends in a low cross, keeper spills it and Matej heads it in.
Another chance
That's another good chance for the hosts. Slavisa lobs the ball into the box and finds Poplatnik, but his header is deflected towards the post by Karanjit
Booking
Chennaiyin's Christopher Herd receives the first yellow card of the match for an elbow on Slavisa
Double save
Kerala Blasters get their first proper chance after 10 mins but Karanjit Singh makes two good saves to deny the hosts with opening goal.
No real chances till now
Neither of the two sides have been able to create any good chances till now. The aggression seems to be missing.
Off target
Sandesh Jhingan sends the ball to an unmarked Seiminlen Doungel, who has a try from outside the box. His shot however is not on target
Match underway
Back to football now. Kerala Blasters vs Chennaiyin FC is now underway in Kochi. The Southern derby has begun.
A minute's silence
A minute's silence is being observed at Kaloor stadium condemning the Phulwama Terror Attack.
Chennaiyin FC - Playing XI
Kerala Blasters FC - Playing XI
Dheeraj Singh (GK), Slavisa Stojanovic, Seiminlen Doungel, Matej Poplatnik, Mohamad Rakip, Anas Edathodika, Keziron Kizito, Sahal Abdul Samad, Sandesh Jhingan (C), Pritam Singh, Courage Pekuson.
ISL LIVE
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the ISL match between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC. While Kerala look for their second win of the tournament, defending champions Chennaiyin search for their third in a season that has not gone their way. Both sides sit at the bottom of the table. Follow this page for live score and updates.