ISL 2024-25: Korou Makes History as Kerala Blasters Secure First Win Over Chennaiyin in 11 Years

Chennai, Jan 30 (NationPress) Jesus Jimenez, Korou Singh, and Kwame Peprah each netted a goal as Kerala Blasters FC triumphed over Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in a significant encounter of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday night.

At just 18 years and 58 days old, Korou Singh etched his name in the ISL history as the second-youngest goal-scorer, trailing only Komal Thatal, who was 18 years and 43 days when he scored against Bengaluru FC in October 2018.

Alongside his remarkable achievement, this marked the first away victory for Kerala Blasters FC against Chennaiyin FC in the league.

The visitors quickly established dominance, taking the lead with goals from Jesus Jimenez and Korou. In the second half, Kwame Peprah added a third, securing their seventh victory of the season. A late goal from Vincy Barretto proved to be a mere consolation for the hosts.

Kerala Blasters wasted no time, scoring in the third minute through an exquisite strike from Jimenez. The play began with Korou advancing the ball into the final third before being dispossessed. However, the Chennaiyin FC defense failed to clear, and Jimenez seized the opportunity to slot the ball past Mohammed Nawaz.

Jimenez almost doubled the score ten minutes later, skillfully controlling a long ball from Sachin Suresh and breaking through the Chennaiyin FC defense, but a crucial save from Nawaz kept the hosts in contention.

Despite early chances for Chennaiyin FC, including opportunities from Ryan Edwards and Irfan Yadwad from set-pieces, the situation worsened for them as Wilmar Jordan Gil received a red card following an altercation with Milos Drincic.

With a goal deficit and a player down, Chennaiyin FC struggled. Owen Coyle substituted Mandar Rao Dessai for the injured Landinliana Renthlei.

Despite their challenges, Lukas Brambilla had a prime chance to equalize before halftime, but his shot went off target. Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC extended their lead at the end of the half with Korou scoring, making him the youngest goal-scorer for the club.

The goal came from a sequence where Kwame Peprah held up the ball before passing to Adrian Luna, who set up Korou on the right. His shot deflected off a defender and found the net past Nawaz.

In the second half, Chennaiyin FC pressed for a goal, with Shields coming close again after being found by Lalrinliana Hnamte in the final third, but his attempt sailed over the goal.

Just two minutes later, Kerala Blasters FC took advantage of gaps in the Chennaiyin FC defense with a swift counterattack led by Luna, who found Peprah with a low cross, allowing the Ghanaian to toe-poke it past Nawaz in the 56th minute.

After conceding the third goal, Coyle made substitutions, bringing on Daniel Chima Chukwu, Vincy Barretto, and Elsinho for Brambilla, Farukh Chaudhury, and Edwards.

The visitors managed the game effectively, maintaining possession and controlling the pace as the match progressed. Later, TG Purushothaman introduced Noah Sadaoui, who made an impact in his brief appearance, further aiding possession control.

However, they conceded a goal in added time when Vincy scored from a clever cross by Irfan. Despite this late flourish from the hosts, Kerala Blasters FC held on for their victory, placing them eighth on the table with 24 points.

Chennaiyin FC will face East Bengal FC on February 8, while Kerala Blasters FC will clash with Mohun Bagan Super Giant on February 15.