(Football news) Kerala Blasters FC has broken into the top four of the Indian Super League table after a 1-0 win over SC East Bengal at the Tilak Maidan on Tuesday. The Yellows progressed from the sixth position to third thanks to a towering header by Enes Sipovic (49’) while SC East Bengal extended their winless run to five matches.

Both the teams started the match cautiously with Alvaro Vazquez being the first to hit the target when his diving header was easily saved by goalkeeper Sankar Roy. Kerala Blasters kept him busy for the rest of the first half but SCEB’s goalkeeper showed great reliability. Both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half but four minutes into the second half, Enes Sipovic connected a header from a corner and found the back of the net, scoring his first ever goal in the Indian Super League.

With the momentum on their side, Ivan Vukomanovic’s team continued to push for another goal and give themselves some breathing space. Jorge Diaz had an opportunity in the 68th minute after making some room for himself but his shot was saved by Roy. At the other end, Antonio Perosevic’s volley almost caught goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill unaware but the effort didn’t lead to a goal. After the second water break, SC East Bengal’s manager Mario Rivera made a number of changes in the effort to find an equalizer.

Hira Mondal was lucky not to have received a red card due to the nature of his foul on Adrian Luna but he did receive a late yellow card. The fourth official added six minutes on the clock but Kerala Blasters held on to their slender one goal advantage until the final whistle to secure the three vital points. SC East Bengal will face reigning Indian Super League champions Mumbai City FC in their next match at the PJN Stadium on Tuesday, 22nd February while Kerala Blasters will take on ATK Mohun Bagan at the Tilak Maidan on Saturday, 19th February.

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