Chennaiyin hold firm to beat struggling Blasters

Kochi: Kerala Blasters' winless run in the Indian Super League (ISL) continued as they slumped a fourth straight defeat, going down 0-1 to Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Saturday. Imran Khan scored the decisive goal in the 42nd minute for the visitors. The result lifted Chennaiyin up to eighth in the standings with four points from four matches, while the Blasters remained in the 12th spot, without a point.As in the 1–2 loss to Inter Kashi, the Blasters again paid the price for replacing a defender with a forward. In the 36th minute, they were forced to substitute the injured Bikash Yumnam, bringing on forward Marlon Roos Trujilo.Although the change was unavoidable, it unsettled the defence, and Chennaiyin began finding space with ease. The first warning came in the 40th minute when Chennaiyin forward Inigo Quintano put the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled offside. A minute later, Chennaiyin took the lead as Khan's long-range effort deflected on its way through, leaving Blasters' goalkeeper Arsh Anwer Shaikh with no chance despite a full-stretch dive.The second half highlighted what Blasters have been missing this season: a bit of luck and a striker who can finish half-chances. After conceding, they came out firing. It started with Nihal Sudeesh hitting the woodwork in the 51st minute. Chances kept coming as Chennaiyin were pushed into a deep defensive block. In the 60th minute, Chennaiyin goalkeeper Nawaz bailed his side out by tipping Victor Bartomeu's flick behind for a corner. A minute later, Blasters had their best opportunity of the match. Kevin Yoke delivered a superb cross, but Nihal, diving at the near post, couldn't get his header on target. Bartomeu, arriving just behind him, also failed to reach the ball in time.Towards the final minutes, Chennaiyin seemed to be more interested in time wasting tactics and they hung on to the one goal lead to take all three points.