Kannur: The Super League match between Kerala and Thrissur ended in a draw. Both teams scored one goal each in an exciting game, with the goals coming in the first half. Mohammed Sinan scored for Kannur, while Bibin Ajayan netted for Thrissur. Thrissur gained the top position in the points table with ten points from three wins and one draw.
Kannur currently holds the third position with nine points from two wins and three draws, while Malappuram FC is second with the same points but a better goal difference. Mohammed Sinan was the standout player in the match.
Both teams made changes in their starting lineups from the last match. Kannur Warriors FC replaced Arjun in midfield with Shibin Shadi in defense and introduced super sub Mohammed Sinan into the starting XI. The team shifted from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 formation.
Thrissur Magic FC also made two substitutions and played in a 4-4-2 formation. Dejan Uslek was brought in for defender Mailson Alves, and Shankar replaced Ivan Markovic in midfield.
The match started with both teams being cautious. Kannur had their first opportunity in the 18th minute when a cross from Manoj found Sinan, but he couldn’t convert it accurately. Thrissur’s defender Uslek was injured in the 19th minute and had to be replaced by Alan Jo. Thrissur created chances from set pieces, earning corners during the first half. Kannur had their best opportunity in the 31st minute when a corner from Asiar Gomez was headed towards goal by captain Adrian, but Thrissur’s defenders blocked it. In the 41st minute, Ebin Das made a run down the right, delivering a cross to Asiar, whose header was blocked, resulting in another corner attempt by Nicholas Delmonte that missed the target.
Kannur’s performance improved in the second half. In the 57th minute, captain Adrian assisted Mohammed Sinan, who scored a powerful goal from the right. Kannur had another chance in the 59th minute, but Ebin Das’s powerful kick was deflected by Thrissur’s keeper Kamaludheen. Additional opportunities came for Kannur in the 60th and 61st minutes but were thwarted by the Thrissur goalkeeper. In the 63rd minute, Ivan Markovic replaced Joseph for Thrissur, and in the 70th minute, Afsal came on for Naveen. Shortly after, Kannur made a double substitution.
Asiar and Sinan were replaced by Kareem Samb and Arshad. In the 84th minute, Ebin’s long-range attempt hit the crossbar. A corner kick opportunity arose in the 85th minute, but Kareem’s header was blocked by a Thrissur defender. In the 87th minute, a shot from Arshad was also saved by the keeper. Both Kareem and Shibin Shadi received yellow cards in the final minutes. In stoppage time, Thrissur’s attacker Ivan scored, but the referee ruled it offside. Kannur’s goalkeeper Ubaid received a yellow card for time-wasting. Finally, in the 90+7 minute, Thrissur equalized with a goal from Bibin Ajayan, assisted by Afsal.