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The 2023 Durand Cup witnessed a nail-biting face-off as Kerala Blasters FC and Bengaluru FC ended the game with a 2-2 draw on Friday. With goals from Justine Emmanuel and Mohammed Aimen for the Blasters, and Edmund Lalrindika and Ashish Jha pitching in for Bengaluru, the match kept fans on the edge of their seats. This draw propelled Gokulam Kerala straight into the quarterfinals. However, for Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, and the Indian Air Force, the journey to the knockouts remains an open race.
Fielding a robust lineup, Kerala Blasters set the pace from the onset. A meticulously crafted cross by Adrian Luna in the early minutes almost saw Emmanuel Justine opening the score, but Bengaluru's goalkeeper Amrit Gope made a noteworthy save. However, their continuous aggression paid off by the 13th minute when a swift pass from Vibin Mohanan enabled Justine to notch the first goal for his side.
Bengaluru FC, although occasionally breaking through, struggled with their coordination in critical zones. As the Blasters continued their onslaught, a surprise equalizer from Bengaluru came from Edmund Lalrindika, capitalizing on an error by the Blasters' defense.
Heading into the second half with a 1-1 tie, the intensity escalated. While Kerala pushed harder, a defensive lapse allowed Bengaluru to steal the lead. Bekey Oram's cunning play set up Jha, who confidently struck the ball into the net.
However, Kerala's relentless spirit bore fruit as Emmanuel Justine crafted a chance to level the scores. Despite this, Bengaluru's defense stood tall, thwarting his efforts. As the clock ticked, debutant Ishan Pandita infused some fresh energy into Kerala's offense, but the much-needed goal remained elusive.
When hopes seemed fading, Mohammed Aimen rose to the occasion, netting a spectacular goal from the left, leveling the scoreboard. However, the game's tension peaked when Hormipam Ruivah of Bengaluru FC was shown the red card for a contentious challenge.
While the draw concluded a riveting match, it spelled potential elimination woes for Kerala Blasters FC. Their strong lineup, unfortunately, might not be enough to see them through in the Durand Cup.
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