Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi- In a pulsating encounter that lived up to its billing as the “Southern Derby,” Kerala Blasters FC and Chennaiyin FC played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Wednesday, November 29th.
The Marina Machans took an early lead through Rahim Ali, who converted a penalty in the 15th minute after a handball by Ruivah Hormipam. Kerala Blasters FC responded swiftly, with Jordan Murray equalizing just two minutes later with a clinical finish.
The match continued to be a goal-scoring affair, with both teams creating numerous chances. Dimitris Diamantakos gave Kerala Blasters FC the lead in the 37th minute with a well-taken goal, only for Chennaiyin FC to level the score through Rafael Crivellaro’s long-range strike just before the half-time whistle.
In the second half, Diamantakos added his second goal of the match to put Kerala Blasters FC back in front in the 70th minute. However, Chennaiyin FC was not done yet, and Murray scored his second goal of the game to make it 3-3 in the 82nd minute.
Both teams had chances to win the game in the closing stages, but the score remained deadlocked at the final whistle. The draw was a fair result in a match that was a fitting tribute to the intense rivalry between the two clubs.
Match Highlights
- 15′ Rahim Ali (Chennaiyin FC) – Penalty
Rahim Ali stepped up to take the penalty after Ruivah Hormipam handled the ball in the box. Ali calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Chennaiyin FC the early lead.
- 17′ Jordan Murray (Kerala Blasters FC)
Kerala Blasters FC responded quickly, with Jordan Murray equalizing just two minutes later with a clinical finish. Murray latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired it into the net past Debjit Majumder.
- 37′ Dimitris Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC)
Dimitris Diamantakos gave Kerala Blasters FC the lead in the 37th minute with a well-taken goal. Diamantakos controlled a long ball from Luna and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
- 45′ Rafael Crivellaro (Chennaiyin FC)
Rafael Crivellaro leveled the score for Chennaiyin FC just before half-time with a stunning long-range strike. Crivellaro picked up the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the top corner.
- 45′ Rafael Crivellaro (Chennaiyin FC)
Dimitris Diamantakos scored his second goal of the match to put Kerala Blasters FC back in front in the 70th minute. Diamantakos latched onto a pass from Luna and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
- 82′ Jordan Murray (Kerala Blasters FC)
Jordan Murray scored his second goal of the game to make it 3-3 in the 82nd minute. Murray found himself unmarked in the box and headed home a cross from Adrian Luna.
Player of The Match
Jordan Murray (Kerala Blasters FC)
Jordan Murray was the standout performer for Kerala Blasters FC in their entertaining 3-3 draw against Chennaiyin FC on November 29, 2023. The Australian forward scored two crucial goals for his side, one in each half, and was a constant menace to the Chennaiyin FC defense.
Murray’s first goal came in the 17th minute, just two minutes after Chennaiyin FC had taken the lead. He reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box and fired it into the net past Debjit Majumder.
Murray’s second goal came in the 82nd minute, and it was a moment of pure brilliance. He found himself unmarked in the box and headed home a cross from Adrian Luna with a deft touch.
Murray’s performance was not just about goals. He also worked tirelessly to create chances for his teammates and was a constant threat with his pace and power. He was deservedly named the Hero of the Match for his outstanding display.
Post-Match Reaction: Kerala Blasters FC and Chennaiyin FC Share the Spoils in Thrilling Derby
The Southern Derby between Kerala Blasters FC and Chennaiyin FC lived up to its billing as a pulsating clash of two passionate fan bases, with both teams showcasing attacking intent and defensive resilience in a 3-3 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
Chennaiyin FC took an early lead through Rahim Ali’s penalty in the 15th minute, but Kerala Blasters FC quickly responded with Jordan Murray’s equalizer two minutes later. Dimitris Diamantakos gave Kerala Blasters FC the lead in the 37th minute, only for Rafael Crivellaro to level the score for Chennaiyin FC just before half-time with a stunning long-range strike.
In the second half, Diamantakos added his second goal of the match in the 70th minute to put Kerala Blasters FC back in front. However, Chennaiyin FC were not done yet, and Murray scored his second goal of the game to make it 3-3 in the 82nd minute.
Despite the late surge from Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters FC held on to secure a point, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
Jordan Murray was the standout performer for Kerala Blasters FC, scoring two crucial goals and being a constant threat to the Chennaiyin FC defense. Adrian Luna also impressed with his creativity and passing ability.
For Chennaiyin FC, Rahim Ali and Rafael Crivellaro were the standout performers, with Ali scoring a penalty and Crivellaro netting a stunning long-range strike.
The draw was a fair result in a match fittingly tribute to the intense rivalry between the two clubs. Both teams showed their attacking prowess and resilience, and the fans were treated to an entertaining contest.
Here is what the coaches had to say:
Ivan Vukomanovic (Kerala Blasters FC): “I am happy with the point, but I am also disappointed that we did not win the game. We created many chances and could have won the game. However, I am proud of my players for fighting until the end.”
Bojan Hodak (Chennaiyin FC): “I am disappointed with the result, but I am happy with the performance of my players. We showed character and fought back from behind twice. We could have won the game in the end, but we made a few mistakes.”
