Toyota Yaris La Liga World Live Commentary: Kerala Blasters 0-6 Melbourne City FC

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                                                           0-6

  

We'll get you the Press Conference and Match Report as soon as possible. Go nowhere. 

It's curtains. Melbourne City FC defeat Kerala Blasters 6-0 in a one-sided affair. Dheeraj should not be blamed much, but he had his anxious moments on the pitch. The Blues were easily superior in every department of the game. The fans, though, deserve applaud. The Yellow Army kept cheering, and were a constant support and deviation from the aftermath that took place on the pitch. Kerala need to improve tremendously to match these sides. 

90+2' The fans are back in mood for a good send-off, atleast, as Lalruatthara brings a player down. Free kick played back to Melbourne for possession. 

90+1' Two minutes of added time, it is. Can Kerala hold fort till then, or will it be breached again? 

90' Pekuson down the right, cross comes in for Matej, same old story. Melbourne counter. Can they score one more. A smooth through ball is wasted. 

89' Last two minutes of the game. The crowd is silenced. Well, half a dozen is not a good score to look at. Has the second half been better, or is it just as flashy like the first? 

87' Dheeraj's back kicks haven't been the best in the game. Needs work. A Melbourne attack is stopped by three Kerala defenders, and the player wins a yellow after bringning a yellow down. 

86' Zakeer shoots at a poor pass from Melbourne, but is way wide and weak. Smooth play on the other end from Melbourne, with their wingers feasting on spaces at the moment. 

85' Sandesh Jhingan is given a warm walkout as Lalruatthara replaces him. The crowd goes in a frenzy. Pekuson showcases his skillset again, with a cheeky heel flick. 

83' It is all Melbourne now, with Pekuson looking the only one who's at least trying to do something on the pitch. Melbourne lose possession, and win it back, all in Kerala's half. That's how dominating they've been. 

82' Will we see a Brazil-Germany sans the 1? A player hits the post for Melbourne now! It looks so easy. They're playing in training against a non-existent defence. 

81' Free kick to Melbourne in Kerala's half. The players look like they've given up. Why not, logically? 

80' Another shot comes in, but Dheeraj is up to the task this time. Is it Dheeraj, or are there spaces creaking in the defence of Kerala? 

79' Bruno Fornaroli makes it six on the other end, with a ball over the top making things easy for him. He controlled it well, and beat Dheeraj low to his right. 

79' Rawat takes on a defender, beats him and his shot is weak. 

78' Pekuson tries to find a run with a deep through ball, but there aren't any. Melbourne win back possession. 

76' Throw down the right to Kerala amid confusion as the linesman gave it to Keral first. Later, he changed as Sasikumar wouldn't give the ball away. Another shot from distance, into the arms of Dheeraj. 

75' Melbourne are exchanging passes in the Kerala half now and it is the fifth. Dheeraj was beaten with ease, from inside the box.  

73' This had to go in! Slavisa was one on one, under pressure, but it still looked good enough to be a doable chance. Poor, poor miss. The crowd lets out a hung cry. Meitei comes on for Doungel. 

72' Slavisa has been pushed out of the game with some smart defending from Melbourne. Pekuson has looked the only player with attacking ideas on the pitch for the hosts in the second half. 

71' Kerala look to move the ball forward with reason, but Melbourne's resoluteness is too difficult to break. Time and again, crosses are coming in and are being headed out with ease. 

70' Another shot from distane goes just wide. Kerala leading a lucky life right now! 

69' Melbourne stitch together a brilliant move in Kerala's half, as Anas receives a yellow for a tackle. Must have been painful for the receiver. 

68' Another shot from distance, another save from Dheeraj. Not just collections, good, low saves. Kerala win a free kick down the right. Zakeer will take the free kick. 

67' Rakip has looked a little nervy. Good, low save by Dheeraj for a corner from point blank range. 

66' Good curling effort down the right from City. Just wide off the diving Dheeraj. Goalkick to Yellow. 

66' Kerala play a wall pass close to the opposition box. Another throw in. Pekuson finds Slavisa, but his shot is blocked. 

65' Throw in to Kerala down the right half line. Headed out for another throw to Kerala. 

63' Delicious ball, just on the six-yard line. No one gets a touch. Kerala re-start the game. Pekuson, meanwhile, nutmegs a defender with ease, but to no significant use. 

62' Cavallo tries to curl on to the far post, but is headed out for a corner. 

61' Another corner to the hosts. Poor ball, and the clearance is kept in by Melbourne, who attack again. The Blues have looked good in recycling possession. Free kick to them as the young Rakip brings a player down. 

60' Free kick to Kerala, and Pekuson stands over it. Sends a cross in, Zakeer takes a shot at the clearance. Corner to Kerala. 

58' The rains, a little less intense, are back. Jhingan finds Prasanth with a long ball, but the youngster only manages a throw in. 

57' Suraj Rawat comes on for Holicharan Narzary. Youngster. Melbourne has also made wholesome changes. Jhingan and Kali are now playing centre-backs. 

56' McGree makes it four. Looked easy, as the Kerala defence was easily cut-through. Shot from the left, Dheeraj nutmegged. 

55' Narzary makes a run centrally, finds Prasanth on the right. The youngster cuts in, and lets it flying from his left foot. It is easily caught by Dean. Straight into his arms. 

54' Doungel is the farthest player for Kerala now. He's playing as a striker with Matej. Kerala win a throw down the right. 

53' Luke has been pretty comfortable, converting possession to positive football. Melbourne have decreased the tempo a bit, and are exchanging wings with comfort. Dheeraj lets a cross go out. 

51' Melbourne's youngsters are pushing Kerala around. Isn't a good sight on the pitch, ever. The rains have receded. Do these people have control on nature as well? Food for thought! 

50' Wales makes it three for Melbourne. Dheeraj makes a close double save, but Jhingan fails to stop the ensuing attack. Shot into an empty net, practically. 

49' Pekuson tries to nutmeg again, is crowded. Zakeer looks a tad slow. Preseason fitness, it seems. Dheeraj, meanwhile, collects a clean cross. 

48' Kerala have started the the second half better than the first. Pekuson finds Doungel with a delightful ball over the top in space, but Doungel couldn't connect well. Do we hope a comeback?

47' Rakip shows maturity, covers a ball well for his age, and asks Dheeraj to come out an collects. They've played together in the past, and they're showing chemistry again. Pekuson makes a runs, tries to do something, but isn't really precise. Zakeer Mundapara comes on for Kizito. 

46' The rains are here, and so are the mobiles phones with lights. Such is the beauty of this fan base. Such is their warmth. The media box is clicking photographs. Rakip, Pekuson and Sasikumar are starting for Kerala. 

The teams are on the pitch, and seven of the Kerala starting XI are back. Jhingan and Anas are there, too. Doungel, Narzary, Dheeraj, Prasanth, Matej make up the rest. 

It's a level playing field, as Melbourne City FC, too, are trying their youngsters out. Logically, it could be called an U-20 game, literally. 

The rain gods are on. As soon as the teams went in, it started raining. God's own country for a reason. The scenes here are serene and blissful, to say the least. 

It's been a predictable game so far, with Kerala attacking on the counter and Melbourne taking care of possession and action. Both teams have had their chances, with City having the upperhand. Kerala, meanwhile, wasted a couple of chances, mostly created by young Prasanth down the right. We'll see some more action after the break, and the youngsters look hungry. 

Dheeraj is congratulated by Luke Brattan, arguably the best player on the pitch. The youngster is going places already, I tell you. Jhingan, too, had a conversation with the City No. 26. 

The first team has walked into the tunnel. It looks likely that they'll play no further role in the game. Good chance to try the youngsters out. Rakip, Loken, Pritam, and Kerala has a host of them. 

45+1' With just a minute of added time, it whistles. Both teams have had pretty average starts to their pre-seasons according to their individual capacities. Dheeraj grew into the game, Jhingan took his time, while Prasanth and Kizito took the notch up. Matej and Slavisa were under average, honestly. 

45' Prasanth and Kizito have been the two best players for Kerala so far. Matej and Slavisa have had their moments, but the duo needs to convert sentence to substance. Vidosic is helped out by the medical man, and the game resumes. 

44' Another attack, but breaks down, as Jhingan stops one in the box. Vidosic is down, and looks in pain. 

43' Lakic-Pesic makes a close tackle in the box for a corner. Was a big chance for Melbourne to make it three. Low, powerful cross in the box, goes out after a touch. 

42' Kerala lose possession with ease, again, and McGree finds space outside the box. He's been their influential box to box playmaker. 

41' Kerala are trying out everything. Playing out of the back, wing play, but they seem to lack the clinicalness of Melbourne. Halloran takes a potshot from distance, Dheeraj makes a good save. Hits the post and out for a corner. Vidosic tries a shot, but Dheeraj collects after an interception. 

40' Comes in, goes out untouched. Dheeraj sends it back in play with a long kick. Jhingan has now exchanged positions with Anas. 

39' Another corner to Kerala, as Jhingan defends a wall pass in his own box. Brattan standing over the ball. The man has been the key player so far. 

38' Jhingan sends a long cross in to the second post. Slavisa heads, but can't find the back of the net. Goalkick to Dean. 

36' The acrobatic Jhingan makes a clearance. Melbourne crosses one down the right, but is intercepted. Doungel is found by Prasanth down the right, but is defended. Throw in to Kerala. 

35' Matej tries one after beating a player from the left, but his shot is blocked for a corner to Kerala. Will the hosts increase the tempo now? Dean comes out, misses the collection, and Kerala send in another cross. It is defended, again. Holi tries a run, but the ball is out for a goalkick. 

34' Its 2 for Melbourne. The defence was split open, and McGree found the back of a net with a sublime, well placed finish. Dheeraj tried to stop it, but it was a little too far from the youngster. 

33' The pivot is still free, with only Doungel trying a little to bottle the opposition.

31' Jhingan raised his arms in despair. Anas tried his bit, but couldn't really do much about it. Sheer good positioning from the striker. 

30' And the first one goes to the visitors. Brattan sends a curling ball into the box, and Vidosic heads it in, practically unmarked. Easy goal, and Dheeraj didn't have much to do. 

29' Kizito defends one, as Vidosic tries to open up the defense. The game goes back after a throw in. Brattan tries from distance, but hits a defender. 

28' Two corners, both are defended well. First one by a header, second by the prodigy called Dheeraj. Someone is surely growing into the game, as the fans start their Mexican waves and what not. Prasanth on the other side beats a player, but the cross has no takers. 

27' Jhingan makes a smooth tackle, finally, much to the delight of the crowd. Corner to Melbourne City FC. 

26' Kizito has looked comfortable in the middle of the park, but has been left alone too often. David James needs to rethink on his midfield. 

25' Slavisa finds Doungel, who finds Prasanth. The cross is intercepted and possession exchange hands. 

24' Jhingan starts the game as Kerala win a throw in. Brattan, yet again, tries a lobbed ball to the wing. The man has been in some rhythm today. 

22' The ball was into the net, but it was a hand ball from a Kerala player. The whole crowd stands up, and goes down in unison. Good shot from Doungel though, from distance. 

21' Another goalkick from Dheeraj. Melbourne regain possession, as Matej is down with a knock. Gets up again. Prasanth shows brilliant pace to get to a ball from Anas, but Slavisa fails to control the pass. Corner to Kerala. Matej standing on the ball. 

20' Blazes past the post, but is offside. Dheeraj senss the long ball. Cross comes in from Prasanth, Narzary heads it down, but there's no one in support. 

19' Kerala defending down the right, and they play it back to build again. Comfortable on the ball, the team is looking good in the overcast conditions. Jhingan is beaten again, and is saved by Anas. Compatible duo.

18' Brattan has continued to find people with ease. Someone needs to stop the guy from Manchester City. 

17' The yellow probably suits Narzary. He's only seen defending in Blue. New team, new rules, new roles. 

16' Throw in resumes the game for City, who build from the left. Jhingan looks a little under-breath. Kerala go on attack from the left. Crosses come in from the left and right, but both are headed out. Growing into the game. Narzary shoots one over, but a positive attempt. 

15' Melbourne keep attacking one after another. Another shot goes over the bar. Dheeraj is having a busy game here. The hosts haven't really looked well oiled so far.

13' Narzary heads the long ball forward to Matej, but is out for a Kerala throw after City defends. Kali plays it back, and Kerala take their positions again. Dheeraj makes a hash of a long clearance, and the chance is deflected wide by Kizito. Close lived. 

12' Another attack is nullified by Jhingan, as a ball over the top tries to find a winger. A shot from Halloran is well over. Dheeraj kick starts the game. 

10' 10 minutes into the game and no fouls so far. Pre-season, yes, but discipline. Luke Brataan has made an impact. An Indian club can get him if they want. A shot comes in, but Dheeraj saves calmly on the ground. 

09' Poor ball in, but Melbourne regain possession and start building from the back again. The visitors have seen most of the ball, and chances. Another chance comes in from the right, but is well handled by Dheeraj. 

08' Vidosic and Cacares is leading the attack for Melbourne. Luke Brattan and Osman Malik are looking confident. The pair exchange passes and Halloran creates a chance. Dheeraj saves for a corner. 

06' Anas sends one over and out. Throw in from the left from Jamieson, the left back. Kizito tries to find a runner, fails. 

05' Melbourne, meanwhile, have already entered the opposition box thrice. Second corner to the Men in Blue. Dheeraj needs to come out and collect more. Clears the corner semi-confidentally. The boy will grow into the game, hopefully. 

04' Doungel is playing centrally, and Slavisa looks fitter than what he looked in training. Anas looks at home, literally. 

03' Kali heads a ball from Matej over. Goalkeeper plays a short pass and it restarts. 

03' Matej runs to a lone ball from Prasanth, and tries to play it to Slavisa. Defended for a corner. Good intention from both sides. This game is going to witness goals, or at least, attacks. 

02' Melbourne are comfortably exchanging passing from the back to front, while Kerala are jogging to defence. Kali defends a chance. First corner for Melbourne. 

01' It beins. Kali is on the left back, with Lakic playing the centre back with Anas. The game has seen a few exchanges in the first minute already. 

The Manjappada have started off. They're making the VIKING CLAP their own, and the media box, on the opposite side, is trembling! If that's not impact, we don't know what is! Cheers to the Yellow Army!

Jhingan is wearing the number 21 shirt. A new number, or just a change for the pre-season?

Both teams clap hands, and Kerala take the left side of the pitch. Jhingan is still going through his paces. The team looks all set to take on the fancied visitors. 

A. R. Rahman sings the Indian National Anthem, and the crowd and the media box inside is on its feet. Its always helpful to be a little nationalistic. 

We're literally on our seats, and its edgy. The noise is filling the crowd and the enviroment is stormy. The teams are walking out. The bunned Sandesh Jhingan looks so good. The young Dheeraj looks so good. The back-at-home Anas looks so good. Kerala looks so good. 

The La Liga anthem fills the air, and we can see yellow flags being waved in the famous Manjappada box. The Kerala bench walks out and takes its place in the dugout, to the left. 

It isn't housefull, but its not too disappointing for a reporter who hails from Delhi and has covered the Dynamos. This is still more than the usual Delhi crowd. I'm sorry, but I'm already in awe of the passion this city possesses. 

The Melbourne City bench have walked out to their dugout. The players have the usual easiness about them, that rides through any pre-season. Its mostly about gaining fitness, and trying out new combinations. 

The stadium looks in perfect condition even when incessant rains have washed the city in the last three days. The ground men deserve a lot of credit for the same! 

Khuri Irani is making the customary pre-match announcements as India hosts a City Group official. 

The Blasters are off the pitch as well. Young kids come in to perform their customary drills, and India has its eyes set on the game. After all, its a La Liga pre-season. 

Melbourne City FC Starting XI: Bouzanis, Jamieson, Schenkeveld, Malik, McGree, Vidosic, Brattan, Cacares, Atkinson, Wales, O'Halloren. 

The opposition is not taking it easy as Warren Joyce names a semi-full side to face the Blasters. Wholesome changes can be expected though, in the second half. 

Melbourne City FC are now walking out. The team looks calm!

The teams are out, practising. Thangboi Singto is passing on the last instructions to the side, while Dheeraj under the bar looks a little emotional to every Kerala and Indian football fan. Have a good one, young lad!

In Kochi, you can always expect the unexpected. The Manjappada is already in, they're chanting, they're making waves, and they're already showing their strength. Nothing matches this city in terms of their wild craziness and support for the game. 

Kerala are expected to play the 4-1-3-2, with captain Jhingan on the right back position and Lakic-Pesic on left. In the defensive midfield, Kizito plays the pivot for Kerala. Up top, Narzary and Prasanth are expected to flank the wings, while Doungel, too, can come down the right. Slavisa and Matej are expected to operate centrally.  

James is starting with a side that's top heavy. Too many strikers, but he looks at Slavisa and Matej as creative attackers. It'll be interesting how these two control the game. 

Here's the Kerala Blasters playing XI that will host Melbourne City FC. 

XI: Dheeraj, Jhingan, Kali, Anas, Lakic-Pesic, Kizito, Prasanth, Narzary, Doungel, Slavisa and Matej. 

A La Liga pre-season tournament in India, who would've thought. But here we are, at the JLN Stadium, Kochi, amazed at the crowd, amazed at the scenes, and hosting one of the biggest leagues in the world. ALl the luck to Kerala Blasters. 

Also Read- I would like to play in India- Melbourne City midfielder Luke Brattan

Also Read- I've heard that the standard in India is pretty good- Melbourne City goalkeeper Bouzanis

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6:20 PM Hello everyone, it is a wonderful evening here in Kochi and it is a delight to host the Toyota Yaris La Liga World opener here. Although the weather is overcast, we hope it will not be a spoilsport such a high voltage game between India and Kenya. This is your host Punit Tripathi, stay tuned and enjoy the commentary with Khel Now.

Match preview- Kerala Blasters Vs Melbourne City Preview: Hosts face A-League powerhouse in tough opener