Kerala Blasters played for nothing but pride in their final game of the Indian Super League this season, and one can only wonder why they did not dish out a performance like today's, earlier in the competition.
Terry Phelan's side ended their season with 13 points from 14 games, as they drew 3-3 against Delhi Dynamos in the national capital on Thursday evening.
The first half for the match displayed the football which Kerala just couldn't showcase in the entirety of the ISL 2015, as they rained in a plethora of goals to make the scoreline 3-2 in favour of them going into half time.
Florent Malouda remained the assist as he helped Gustavo get the opener of the night for the home side in as early as the 7th minute. An instant reaction, however, from the away side, changed it all.
Delhi defender Anas Edathodika completely missed his header from a cross played by Peter Ramage inside the box. The ball fell on the path of Chris Dagnall, and the Englishman made no mistake in slotting home at the 9th minute of play.
Mehtab Hossain had a goal disallowed by the linesman in the 26th minute, but that didn't prevent a determined Kerala Blasters from getting the lead in the 30th minute. Joao Coimbra displayed a brilliant individual skill to get free on the box and launch a curler that saw the ball blast the top corner of the net.
Antonio German, who remained the assist for that goal, registered his name in the scoresheet on the night as he smashed a powerful shot inside the net in the 39th minute, to give the away side a two-goal cushion. Mehtab remained the assist this time.
Kerala Blasters completely bossed the half in every department, but Roberto Carlos' side struck back as Adil Nabi got the second goal for Delhi Dynamos in the 40th minute. The West Brom forward headed in a wonderful cross played in by Indian versatile footballer Mama.
The second half remained a bit subdued for the visitors as fatigue supposedly played a factor for Terry Phelan's side. Nevertheless, the home side kept coming to reduce the goal deficit through Adil Nabi, Gustavo, and Richard Gadze.
Kerala Blasters defender Sandesh Jhingan had a really good outing as he kept the fast-paced Brazilian Gustavo at bay on plenty of occasions. Kerala goalkeeper Sandip Nandy also joined the party in disallowing his side from conceding more. The Indian custodian made a crucial save in the closing stages to stop the onrushing Gadze from pulling the trigger.
The game was waiting for a final twist and Carlos' side had the script written there once more. Sehnaj Singh scored a spectacular curler from 40 yards out to make the scores level, and snatch out a point from the game.
Catch the goals below:
