ISL: Kerala, Delhi play out goalless draw

Kochi, Nov 9 (IANS) Kerala Blasters FC and Delhi Dynamos FC played out an engrossing 0-0 draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Sunday.

Both teams attacked with purpose, but the defences held firm as the teams split points.

The match got off to a lively start with both teams getting immediately into attack mode.

Delhi settled into their composed passing game, while Kerala drove forward with pace.

The hosts were nearly gifted a goal when the visitors gave away possession just outside their own box. Goalkeeper Kristof Van Hout and defender Shouvik Ghosh however saved the day with the former getting a hand on Stephen Pearson's cutback and Ghosh nipping in to clear.

The lanky Belgian custodian rescued his team again, making a save at full stretch after Andrew Barisic's cross rebounded off defender Adil Khan, with Iain Hume's follow-up header hitting the outside of the post.

Kerala were dominant by this point, and even had the ball in the net through Barisic, but it was ruled out for an offside.

The Dynamos weathered the storm and began to see more of the ball.

They soon had a chance of their own, with Mads Junker firing a point-blank header directly at Kerala keeper David James.

The game became more end-to-end, but the half ended scoreless.

The second half started with the teams trading possession.

Delhi came closest to scoring, with Italian World Cupper Alessandro Del Piero's glancing header sending Robert Lalthamuana through on goal, but while his chip beat keeper James, it was well wide of the post.

The visitors nearly snatched the winner when substitute Pavel Elias had a free header from a corner, but his try went wide.

One point each means both Kerala and Delhi finished the day as they started, in sixth and seventh place respectively.