Chennaiyin FC vs Kerala Blasters FC Player Ratings: Nikola Stojanovic & Amrinder Singh shine in ISL 2026-27 clash
The Marina Machans & the Blasters played a goalless draw.
Chennaiyin FC came into the game following a disappointing result against Mohun Bagan SG in their previous outing, where they were gutted to return home from Kolkata with zero points despite putting in their best performance of the season.
While Kerala Blasters came to the match following a goalless draw against Mumbai City FC back at their fortress.
Head coach Clifford Miranda named an unchanged starting XI, retaining his trust in the players who had put in a decent performance in the previous game. Meanwhile, Ashley Westwood made a few changes to his lineup, with Andre Green returning to the starting XI in place of Momo Yansane.
The first half started brightly, with Chennaiyin FC dominating possession and creating several good chances.
Kerala Blasters also had a few opportunities through quick transitions, but neither side could find the finishing touch as they went into the break goalless.
The Blasters had an opportunity to give the away side the lead in the second half from the penalty spot but failed to convert, with the effort hitting the woodwork.
Chennaiyin continued pushing for a winner, creating good opportunities for Emmanuel and Irfan, but both failed to take their chances as the referee’s final whistle confirmed a goalless draw.
Chennaiyin FC Player Ratings (By Shyam)
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Mohammad Nawaz – 7/10
Didn’t have much to do in the first half but was called into action on multiple occasions after the break. He was fortunate not to concede when Adrian Luna’s penalty struck the post.
Shortly after, however, he made a crucial low save to deny Andre Green in a 1v1 situation.
Muhammed Saheef – 7/10
Saheef had one of his best games in Chennaiyin colours, putting in a solid defensive performance against Korou Singh.
He won most of his duels, made several key clearances and, overall, minimised the Blasters’ impact from the right flank, forcing them to attack through the centre and down the left.
Emmanuel Imanishimwe – 8/10
Probably the most impressive defender in the Chennaiyin backline, Imanishimwe showed why he is such a valuable foreign player through his defensive contributions. He made several recoveries and interceptions, one of which was a last-ditch effort to stop Sanan from delivering a dangerous cross into the six-yard box.
He also came close to scoring early in both halves and contributed significantly to the attack with his progressive carries and long balls from the back. He was booked late in the game for a challenge on Momo Yansane. In stoppage time, he was sent off following a heated exchange with Green.
Laldinpuia – 7/10
Laldinpuia looked much better than he did last season and put in a solid performance against a false-nine striker like Andre Green, who failed to make an impact against either him or Emmanuel.
He won all his aerial duels and made a couple of recoveries higher up the pitch. However, his passing was not up to the mark.
Namgyal Bhutia – 6/10
He was probably fortunate not to be sent off in the first half after receiving an early booking for a tactical foul on Korou.
However, he was cautious with his approach from that point onwards and made several key defensive contributions, including important blocks and clearances against Sanan on the wings. Sanan did get the better of him on one occasion.
Ayush Chhetri – 6.5/10
It was a mixed outing in the middle of the park for Ayush Chhetri, who made several key interceptions and tackles from the number six role. He progressed the ball brilliantly up the pitch and also found himself at the edge of the box on a couple of occasions.
However, he was guilty of overplaying at times and ended up losing possession in dangerous areas. One such instance almost resulted in a goal for the Blasters.
Nikola Stojanovic – 8/10
Starting in the box-to-box role alongside Ayush Chhetri, Stojanovic once again proved why he is the heartbeat of this team. He won all his tackles, made three ground duels and registered three recoveries. However, his best contributions came in the final third.
He was excellent in the way he linked up with Talal, Brison and Irfan, creating four big chances while also delivering crucial crosses from attacking set-pieces.
Brison Fernandes – 6.5/10
Brison Fernandes had an outing similar to his performance against Mohun Bagan SG, getting into several good positions early in the game but failing to turn them into clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.
He also played a couple of key passes, setting up Nikola and combining well with Talal. However, he faded as the game progressed and was replaced by Prakadeswaran midway through the second half.
Madih Talal – 7.5/10
Madih Talal, the creative heartbeat of the team, kept things ticking in the final third with his link-up play. He completed all his dribbles and had two shots on target, one of which forced a brilliant save from Amrinder at the near post.
It was his corner that led to Emmanuel’s effort, which was cleared off the line by Amrinder. More than 95% of his passes were in the final third, and he also came close to scoring from a free-kick in the first half.
Irfan Yadwad – 7/10
Irfan was the Chennaiyin FC forward who had the most chances against the Blasters. He found himself in a 1v1 situation against Amrinder late in the second half, with an opportunity to secure all three points, but attempted to chip the goalkeeper and failed to convert.
He started the game on the right wing, but looked more threatening after being moved to the left, where he almost scored the winner before being denied by the woodwork.
He was also fortunate to see Adrian Luna miss the penalty after giving away the spot-kick by stretching out his arms.
Ramon Tanque – 6/10
Yet another game in which Ramon failed to get his name on the scoresheet. He looked out of position when attempting to meet most of the crosses. He was once again decent with his link-up play but failed to do the primary job of a striker: score goals.
He played three key passes, but most of his shots were too weak to trouble Amrinder, and he completed only five passes overall.
Substitutes
Chawngthu – 6.5/10
Coming on for Ayush Chhetri midway through the second half, Chawngthu had a tidy outing in the middle of the park.
He completed 13/15 passes, played one key pass and completed all the long balls he attempted. Despite facing heavy pressure from the Blasters, he remained composed and linked up well with Nikola and Talal.
Prakadeswaran – 6/10
He played a few impressive diagonals to switch the play and had one shot on target. However, his overall performance was not particularly influential, and he couldn’t make the kind of impact he used to in previous seasons.
Bryce Miranda – 7/10
Despite spending less than ten minutes on the pitch, Bryce created the best chance of the game. He received Dinpuia’s pass in a 2v1 situation and played a beautiful cross to Irfan Yadwad, setting him up for a 1v1 against Amrinder. Unfortunately, Irfan failed to convert the opportunity.
Dippendu Biswas – 6/10
Had very little time on the pitch and was not involved in any major events, either in attack or defence.
Kerala Blasters Player Ratings (By Jeremy)
Amrinder Singh: 9/10
The clear Man of the Match. He denied Irfan Yadwad at 35th minute and Chennaiyin again at 67th minute, and his sensational one-on-one stop at 89th minute kept the Blasters alive in the closing stages. Chennaiyin dominated large spells, so the clean sheet is largely his doing.
Naocha Singh: 6/10
The commentary rarely singles him out, but the back line held through long periods of Chennaiyin pressure. A steady if unspectacular night.
James Bolton: 6/10
Part of a defence that survived a barrage and kept the shape under pressure. He was also unmarked from Adrian Luna’s 62nd minute corner and sent his header off target, a real chance to put the Blasters ahead.
Hormipam Ruivah: 5.5/10
He was withdrawn at half-time for Sumit Sharma, after a first half in which Chennaiyin managed six shots and seven corners. The reason for the change was obvious, as Ashley Westwood wanted his defence to be strong.
Aiban Dohling: 6/10
Helped the Blasters weather Chennaiyin’s first-half dominance, though Madih Talal dictated the tempo with little interference. Solid but unremarkable.
Freddy: 5.5/10
He was part of a midfield that lost the battle in the first half and barely created anything of its own. The Blasters did improve after the break, but he made little visible impact.
Nebojša Kosović: 5.5/10
His 84th minute long-range effort sailed well wide, a rare shot from a side with little threat for much of the night. Little else from him is recorded and just had a decent match.
Adrian Luna: 4.5/10
A frustrating night for the club hero, who struggled to make an impact. His 51st minute penalty crashed off the post, the best chance the Blasters had to take the lead.
His 72nd minute free-kick went off target, and he was replaced by Momo Yansane at the 82nd minute as Westwood looked for a winner.
Mohammed Sanan: 4.5/10
His 27th minute chance was the Blasters’ best early opening. He looked unsure of what to do with it, and Chennaiyin recovered possession. He was substituted at the 77th minute.
Andre Green: 5/10
He was among the Blasters’ more direct threats after the restart, and his 54th minute shot was saved by Nawaz.
His night ended with a straight red card in stoppage time after the heated exchange with Emmanuel, a lapse that leaves the Blasters a man short for their next match.
Korou Singh: 5/10
He made little mark before being replaced at the 77th minute mark.
Substitutes
Sumit Sharma: 6/10
He came on at half-time for Hormipam, and the Blasters were a different side afterwards. They pushed forward in waves and won a penalty within minutes of the restart.
Vibin: 5.5/10
He came on at the 77th minute with Sreekuttan, but there wasn’t much notable involvement.
Sreekuttan: 5.5/10
Same situation as Vibin, with no recorded impact in the final stretch.
Momo Yansane: 5.5/10
He replaced Luna at the 82nd minute mark as the Blasters hunted a late winner, but were unable to find one.
What was the scoreline between Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters FC?
Chennaiyin FC played a 0-0 draw against Kerala Blasters.
Who missed the penalty for Kerala Blasters against Chennaiyin FC?
Adrian Luna missed the penalty for Kerala Blasters against Chennaiyin FC.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.