Durand Cup 2023: Kerala Blasters score five past Indian Air Force

Bidhyasagar Singh turned up hero for Kerala Blasters on a pitch familiar to him.

A hat-trick by Bidhyasagar Singh ensured Kerala Blasters finish their 132nd Indian Oil Durand Cup campaign on a high with a dominant 5-0 win over Indian Air Force Football Team (IAFFT). The 33rd game of the tournament, played at the East Bengal ground in Kolkata, saw the Blasters score at ease with complete dominance over the proceedings in the game throughout. 

Md. Aimen opened the score line for Kerala Blasters in the ninth minute through a long ranger while Bidhyasagar Singh doubled the lead for them three minutes later. Danish Farooq’s goal in the 57th minute gave the blasters a three-goal lead while a brace from Bidhyasagar in the 62nd and 82nd minute ensured a fitting closure to their campaign in the Durand Cup. 

Kerala Blasters in their last game of Group C started with seven changes while the Indian Air Force FT walked into the pitch with three changes in their starting eleven.

The game began with the Blasters attacking from the start. Bidhyasagar Singh along with Md. Aimen ensured the Indian Air Force defenders never had an easy moment guarding their end.

The Blasters tasted success early on in the 9th minute when Md. Aimen found the back of the net beating Indian Air Force Goal Keeper Subhajit Das from an accurate long ranger. Minutes later Bidhyasagar doubled the lead for the Malabarian’s through a cross diagonal shot in the 12th minute by a Danish Farooq assist. 

The game thereafter was a display of complete domination from the Blasters over the IAFFT, with the former attacking in short intervals. However, a more vigilant defense line and an attentive Subhajit at the post ensured that the first half came to an end with the score line reading 2-0 to the favour of Kerala Blasters.

The second half of the game was a showcase of Kerala Blasters’ superiority over a helpless IAFFT. Danish Farooq scored the third goal for the blasters in the 57th minute which was followed by a brace from Bidhyasagar in the 62nd and 82nd minute that helped him finish the game with a hattrick. Kerala Blasters finally wrapped up their 132nd Indian Oil Durand Cup Campaign with an emphatic 5-0 win over Indian Air Force FT. 

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