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Kochi, November 30
Brazilian midfielder Bruno Pelissari’s individual brilliance saw Chennayin FC edge past Kerala Blasters 1-0 to all but ensure a place in the semifinal of the Indian Super League here today.
Pelissari’s 87th-minute strike ensured Marco Materazzi’s men’s maintain their top position in the league table with 22 points from 12 games — six points clear of second placed Atletico de Kolkata. Blasters still hold onto their fourth place in the table with 15 points from 12 games.
There weren’t too many eye-catching moments but Pelissari’s strike just 13 minutes after being introduced into the thick of things. Pelissari got hold of a long clearance after a Kerala corner. It was the start of 50-metre down the middle as rival defenders chased shadows. He had support on the right but decided to take the shot and his swerving left-footer crashed into the net as veteran goalkeeper Sandeep Nandy had a puzzled look on his face. The 61,000 partisan crowd went into pin-drop silence as they simply couldn’t believe what hit them.
Chennaiyin, who are playing without their talismanic Brazilian Elano Blumer showed that they have solid bench strength as they snatched full points in a difiicult away game. For Blasters, their frontman Iain Hume had the best scoring opportunity immediately after the change of ends. With Chennaiyin’s French goalie Gennaro Bracigliano charging out, Hume’s placement in haste was off target.
The Blasters also received a setback when their skipper David James pulled a hamstring and was replaced by Nandy as early as the 20th minute of the match. — PTI
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