ISL: Kerala Blasters down Pune, back in reckoning for semis

Kerala Blasters put themselves back in the semi-finals race as they brushed aside Pune City FC challenge with a 2-1 in an ISL match, in Kochi on Friday.

The Blasters were hammered 0-5 by Mumbai City FC in their previous match but they returned to winning ways with goals from Duckens Nazon (7th minute) and Aaron Hughes (57th minute).

Anibal Zurdo managed to pull one back for the visitors in the second minute of added time but that came too late for the PuneCity.

The victory took Blasters to the third spot with 18 points from 12 matches, the same as Atletico de Kolkata who have a better goal difference. Kerala Blasters now need only a win from their remaining two matches. Kerala will travel to Kolkata next to play ATK on Tuesday and return home to host NorthEast United on December 4.

Losing their second consecutive match, Pune are placed fifth with 15 points from 13 matches and it will be difficult for the team coached by Antonio Habas to qualify with just a match in hand. Habas will have a week’s break before they travel to Kolkata to play against his former club on 2 December.

Image: Kerala Blasters' Aaron Hughes celebrates after scoring against Pune City FC on Friday

Photograph: ISL