NorthEast United FC Defeats Kerala Blasters FC 2-0 in Crucial ISL Match – Matchweek 21 Recap

NorthEast United FC emerged victorious over Kerala Blasters FC with a 2-0 win at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, marking a pivotal match of Matchweek 21 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24. This triumph propels the Highlanders to the seventh spot with 23 points from 20 matches, intensifying the battle for the sixth playoff position.

Currently, Chennaiyin FC holds the sixth place with 24 points, closely followed by Bengaluru FC and East Bengal FC with 22 and 21 points, respectively. On the contrary, Kerala Blasters FC’s playoff hopes have dimmed due to a string of recent defeats, raising concerns despite their solid start to the season.

The game remained deadlocked for most of the duration until Nestor Albiach and Jithin MS of NorthEast United FC broke the silence in the final minutes to secure the crucial three points. Nestor’s goal in the 84th minute, assisted by Michel Zabaco’s long pass, opened the scoring, while Jithin sealed the win with a precise finish in stoppage time.

Despite Kerala Blasters FC’s efforts fueled by Sakai, Farooq, and Pandita, their 13 shot attempts lacked the finesse needed to beat the opposition’s defense. Nestor Albiach’s timely contribution was crucial in shaping the outcome, as his goal proved decisive in the match.

Looking ahead, Kerala Blasters FC will face Hyderabad FC on April 12, while NorthEast United FC is set to clash with Chennaiyin FC on April 9. The brief scores of the game stand at NorthEast United FC 2 (Nestor Albiach 84’, Jithin MS 90+1’) – 0 Kerala Blasters FC, signaling a significant win for the Highlanders.

For more details and updates, visit the match center at https://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/62594.