KOZHIKODE: It was the first meeting between Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC after the former's controversial walkout in ISL playoff earlier this year. Going into the game, both teams had a chance to advance to the semifinals of the Super Cup and fans were hoping for a cracker of a contest.
However, the southern derby between two arch-rivals at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode on Sunday didn't rise up to expectations and ended in a tame 1-1 draw.
But the result was good enough for BFC to advance to the semifinals of the tournament from Group A. Roy Krishna put BFC ahead in the 23rd minute while Dimitrios Diamantakos found the equaliser for Blasters in the 77th minute. Blasters, who fielded a 4-3-3 formation, looked most aggressive.
In a simultaneous Group A game played at Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri, Roundglass Punjab defeated Sreenidi Deccan by a solitary goal with Valpuia scoring the winner in the 42nd minute.
Sreenidi's defeat meant that BFC topped the group with five points from three matches. Sreenidi Deccan and Blasters ended with four points each, but the former finished second in the group because of their victory over the Kerala side.
