[WATCH] Kwame Peprah's pinpoint winning strike against East Bengal FC in ISL 2024-25
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
The Ghanaian super-sub reignited his form after coming off the bench, scoring a crucial goal.
Kerala Blasters FC downed East Bengal FC 2-1 in front of an energetic home crowd with Kwame Peprah’s late strike at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Sunday.
After a mellow start to life following their loss to Punjab FC in their opening game, Mikael Stahre got some much-needed relief after his side survived another close brush and came out on top of the pile all thanks to Peprah’s game-changing impact.
The Tuskers started well, stringing together some picturesque moves. Noah Sadaoui, Jesus Jimenez, Vibin Mohanan, and Danish Farooq, combined to get the Spanish striker a shot on target in the opening few minutes. Although they found huge spaces between the loosely structured East Bengal midfield and defence, Kerala Blasters found it hard to squeeze the ball into the back of the net.
Kwame Peprah’s clinical goal
Carles Cuadrat brought on the in-form Vishnu PV after the break and the results followed shortly afterward as the Torchbearers’ wide positioning helped them move the ball quickly. Former Blasters’ striker Dimitrios Diamantakos picked the ball off a counter and rushed wide before squaring it to the youngster who had the easiest job, tapping the ball into an open net for the opener.
Despite falling behind, Kerala Blasters sped back into the game all thanks to their new star, Noah Sadaoui who folded Mohamed Rakip inside out before finishing with a thumping left-footed shot into the bottom far corner. Such a reply in three minutes revitalized the fans and the team, as they kept maintaining pressure on the topsy-turvy Red and Gold Brigade defence.
In the 75th minute, Jesus Jimenez left the fray for the man of the hour, Kwame Peprah to come on. Ten minutes later Anwar Ali’s dangerous pass invited too much pressure on Saul Crespo and the Spaniard lost the ball to another lively substitute, Mohammed Aimen, on the edge of the East Bengal box.
Peprah collected the ball from Aimen and glanced up once to check Prabhsukhan Gill’s movement before wrong-footing the keeper and burying his finish into the near post. A pitchside view of the same along with his ecstatic celebration summarised his dexterity with the ball and what it means for him to don the Tuskers’ yellow.
Kerala Blasters rose to the sixth spot after the victory and will next travel to Guwahati to face NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on 29th September.
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