First-half blitz helps Punjab FC drub Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC plunged to a new low at home on Saturday, losing 1-3 to Punjab FC in the ISL match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

Punjab killed the contest in the first half with three goals and wiped out any hopes of a revival, which Blasters had nurtured before the clash.

A disorganised defence coupled with fundamental errors in passing gifted goals to the visiting side. Though Blasters came up with an improved show in the second period, it couldn’t cover the ground it yielded to Punjab earlier in the game.

Punjab raced ahead with the first chance it created. A long ball from Khaimin Lhungdim landed in the path of Samir Zeljkovic, who slotted home with a first-time effort in the seventh minute.

Blasters had the first look at the rival goal in the 14th minute when Naocha Singh fizzed a shot over from the top of the box.

The host conceded again in the 18th minute after defender Ruivah Hormipam mistakenly laid the ball to Zeljkovic, who sent Bede Osuji clear with a through pass.

The fate of the match was sealed in the 38th minute when a long-ranger from Manglenthang Kipgen bounced off the bar for an unmarked Dani Ramirez to nod in.

In the second half, Blasters showed some incisiveness upfront, troubling the Punjab defence with coordinated moves.

Fallou Ndiaye reduced the margin in the 65th minute, heading in a cross from Jai Quitongo, but the visitor did enough thereafter to earn three points.

The result: Kerala Blasters FC 1 (Fallou Ndiaye 65) lost to Punjab FC 3 (Samir Zeljkovic 7, Bede Osuji 18, Dani Ramirez 38).