Ten-man NE hold Blasters to goalless draw

Kochi: A ten-man Northeast United had a decent warm-up for their ISL playoffs by holding Kerala Blasters to a goalless draw in their final league match at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Friday.

Former Kerala player Gurwrinder Singh had seen red in the 23rd minute but the Highlanders, with as many as four regulars rested, defended resolutely to be match-ready for their semifinal first-leg against Bengaluru on March 7.

Kerala meanwhile ended their lacklustre campaign in the ninth place, and with much to ponder after majority of their fans continued the ominous boycott that had started early December.

Gurwinder Singh had returned to his old stomping ground, where he spent three seasons on loan from East Bengal. He however had brought along the demons he would wish had already been exorcised.

In 2014, in the dying minutes of a home tie against Chennaiyin, Bruno Pelissari had made a mockery of Gurwinder’s defensive prowess by forcing him on to the back-foot, on a counter. He cantered almost half the length of the pitch, with his back to the goal, and saw in agony as the Brazilian curled the winner from the edge of the box.

Questions were asked, then, on how and when a defender should commit in such a situation. Kerala manager David James wouldn't fault his player, but Gurwinder was grilled over his decision-making. Tackle and take one for the team, he was told.

On Friday night, five years since the forgettable outing, but at the opposite end of the same pitch, the Punjabi decided to take one for the team. Ironically, it turned out to be the right decision.

Pekuson, who had been a livewire, of sorts, and would later hit the post and also attempt a couple of near misses, had liberated Matej Poplatnik on a counter. The Slovenian, charging down with a welcoming goal in range, was denied by a  Gurwinder tackle just outside the box. His teammates ensured his sacrifice didn't go in vain by defending valiantly to finish 0-0.