ISL Season 8: Kerala Blasters emerged victorious against Jamshedpur FC in the first leg of the Indian Super League semifinals courtesy of a solitary goal from Sahal Abdul Samad. The win meant a lot to the Yellow Army as their local lad scored the goal and they secured a brilliant 1-0 win against the ISL Shield Winners. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
It was a brilliant counterattacking move from the Kerala Blasters as Alvaro Vazquez scooped the ball in Sahal’s path who had acres to run in the opposition half. Just as he reached the final third he saw Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh rush out of his lines. So he decided to lob it right over the custodian as the ball bounced twice and then nestled into the back of the net.
Kung-Fu Sahal! 🥋#JFCKBFC #YennumYellow #KBFC #കേരളബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് pic.twitter.com/WbfGO5loT3
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) March 11, 2022
The current campaign has seen Saha come back in form but this goal in the semifinals will mean a lot more to him. It has been a massive turnaround for the youngster from last season as he keeps on surprising his fans with every match.
“Yes, to be honest, I expected that ball. I blindly made that run and I got the ball just in front of me. I am thankful to God that I got the goal and I helped the team. Now nothing is over yet, we still have one half to go. We will continue to work hard and will be focused on the next game,” said Sahal in the post-match interview.
Sahal has scored six goals till now in the current campaign and this has been his best season in terms of goalscoring. Sahal has found his form under Ivan Vukomanovic, something that he could not do last season.
“This has been one of the best seasons for me in every way. Goalscoring way, the way the team has played according to the plans of the coach. I am really happy for the team and very proud to help the team in each way,” added Sahal.
The youngster spending time with Alvaro Vazquez, Adrian Luna and Jorge Pereyra Diaz has made him share ideas in attack. The quartet has shown great magic for the Yellow Army in the current campaign as they continue to score goals and help the Blasters win matches. The team synergy and chemistry played a big role in Sahal’s turnaround this season.
Sharing his experience of playing with such high profile foreigners, Sahal concluded, “Yes, it is pretty easy to play with foreign and experienced players, especially, Alvaro, Diaz and Luna in the team. They always teach us something. Even the little parts help us in every way. This is something Alvaro tells me when I come short, that I make the run and I am happy that I got the goal today.”
Kerala Blasters will have a slender 1-0 lead over the Men of Steel as they head onto the second leg of the semifinals. However, the overall tie is far from over as Jamshedpur FC will surely retaliate in the second leg.
Editors pick
