Delhi hold Kerala with goal at death

Kochi: A late Andrija Kaludjerovic header cancelled out C.K. Vineeth's club-record-equalling strike as Delhi Dynamos held Kerala Blasters 1-1 in a third round match of the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.

Just as it was before the international break when Mumbai City spoiled Kerala’s search for a first home win of the season with an injury time equaliser Delhi left it late to snatch a point.

Fan favourite C.K. Vineeth, on his first start of the season, had nearly made it a night of his own with a 48th minute strike that equalled Iain Hume’s 10 career goals for Kerala. But Kaluderovic’s 84th minute leveller ensured it was no more than a statistic for the record books.

Delhi had started brighter, channelling their moves through the flanks. Lallianzuala Chhangte gave a few nervous moments for the Kerala defense, to Mohamad Rakip in particular as he kept the right-back pinned to his half for long.

Kerala had found the Delhi defence difficult to breach, initially. Forced wide on occasions they had the ball, and twice made to shoot from outside the box. Narzary’s left-foot drive flew over but Stojanovic worked the effervescent  Francisco Dorronsoro in the Delhi goal with a smart effort on the turn that prompted a fine low save.

Vineeth had looked rusty and scuffed a shot, moments after he was forced to angle an attempt wide, and the rebound was side-netted by Stojanovic.

Entertained for long, but the home crowd heaved a collective sigh of relief as Gianni Zuiverloon missed a sitter. A proper finish, one that was the likely outcome, would have pleased the creator of the move, Rene Mihelic. But the awful miss left the visitors’ bench in misery. Slovenian playmaker Mihelic had released Romeo with a delightful lob and the Goan had complemented it with a precise cut-back only to see Zuiverloon, with his instep, miss the near post from 10 yards.