Kerala Blasters' T.G. Purushothaman highlights 'winning formula' after win against Punjab FC

Kerala Blasters are placed ninth spot in the ISL table.

The Indian Super League (ISL) delivered yet another edge-of-the-seat thriller as T.G. Purushothaman’s Kerala Blasters managed to eke out a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Punjab FC. In a game where small mistakes could have swung the result, the Blasters showcased immense grit and tactical brilliance, even when reduced to nine men.

A solitary penalty by Noah Sadaoui proved decisive for Kerala Blasters, but the real highlight was how fantastically the team defended and how resolute they were during the last half hour of the game.

Defensive Brilliance

The match began with both sides testing each other’s defences. But the second half saw a dramatic turn in the contest. Things only got worse as Milos Drincic of Kerala Blasters was sent off in the 58th minute for a second yellow card because of a rash tackle. The situation continued to worsen as in the 74th minute, Aiban Dohling was given a straight red for what was a controversial aerial challenge, which saw players from both teams sprawled on the pitch.

But against the run of play, despite those setbacks, the Blasters showed a lot of determination as they held for goalkeeper Sachin Suresh making heroic saves to keep Punjab FC from finding the equalizer.

The Catalyst for Chaos

Interestingly, both red cards were the result of relentless effort by Punjab FC‘s Malayali winger Leon Augustine. Sharp movement and aggressive pressing from Augustine forced Drincic into committing a tactical foul near the penalty area for his second yellow. Later, his aerial clash with Dohling resulted in the latter being sent off and reducing Kerala to nine players.

Out of options and faced with overwhelming odds, the Blasters went all defensive, drawing deep into the last wells of grit and teamwork. “This was a difficult match as we were playing an away game” admitted head coach T.G. Purushothaman after the game. “We dominated the game, but after we got the red card, we struggled. The players adapted well to the tactical adjustments, and it was teamwork; as a team, we won the match.”

Defensive Stability and Goalkeeping Excellence

The last half an hour showcased the Kerala Blasters backline unity. Punjab FC came forward continuously, but the Blasters held well as the backline worked tirelessly to shut the spaces. Sachin Suresh’s goalkeeping also was top-notch, with a clean sheet that looked unlikely from the way things unfolded.

After the match, Interim Coach Purushothaman reflected on the defensive game his team had played. “Luckily, we didn’t maintain defensive discipline, so we kept a clean sheet, which is good for the team. Red cards happen sometimes. I’m not blaming or pointing fingers at anyone—it’s part of the game. These situations occur, and we need to overcome them as a team. Teamwork is the most important thing for me and us,” Purushothaman mentioned.

A Small Step Up the Table

The win put Kerala Blasters in ninth position on the log, with 17 points from 15 games. Not exactly a leap in terms of progression, but sure enough, this win would surely give the team a much-needed boost and confidence before facing Odisha at home.

This will be a boasting performance which might provide the turning point that Blasters need to revive their campaign as the season wears on. The ISL is getting intense, and one thing is for sure: Kerala Blasters are one of those teams that no one can count out of the game, no matter what the scores are.

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