The Indian Super League (ISL) witnessed a dramatic encounter on Sunday as Kerala Blasters secured their first victory of the season with a thrilling 2-1 win over East Bengal FC. The match, played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, saw a late, match-winning goal from Kwame Peprah, the young Ghanaian forward, who had come on as a substitute just 13 minutes earlier.
Peprah’s heroics overshadowed the performance of Dimitrios Diamantakos, the top scorer in the ISL last season, who had been a constant threat for the Blasters. It was a night of contrasting fortunes for both teams. East Bengal FC took the lead in the 59th minute through P.V. Vishnu, who deftly tapped in a smart cross from Diamantakos, who had cleverly foxed the Blasters goalkeeper Sachin Suresh.
However, the lead was short-lived as Noah Sadaoui, the recent Durand Cup Golden Boot winner, equalized for the Blasters just four minutes later. He showcased his speed and agility, racing past a defender before finding the back of the net with a well-placed shot to the far corner.
The match continued to be a back-and-forth affair with both teams creating chances. However, it was Peprah who had the final say. Following a clever slide tackle from Aimen, Peprah received the ball in the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that flew past the East Bengal goalkeeper, securing a hard-fought victory for the Blasters.
The victory will be a huge boost for the Blasters, who had lost their season opener against Punjab FC. The performance also highlighted the strength of their squad depth, as Peprah came off the bench to deliver the winning goal. The match was a testament to the exciting and unpredictable nature of the ISL, where the thrill of victory can come from the most unexpected sources.
