Noah Sadaoui and Kwame Peprah scored impressive hat-tricks as Kerala Blasters FC scored eight past a hapless Mumbai City FC to start their Group C campaign with a bang in the 133rd Durand Cup played here at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan. Ishan Pandita scored twice in the final minutes to complete the rout. With this win, Kerala Blasters equalled the record of the most goals scored in a single game, the previous eight goal victory coming way back in 1889 when Highland Light Infantry won the finals of the second edition beating Shimla Rifles.
Mikael Stahre named a full blooded starting eleven for his first official match as the Head Coach of Kerala Blasters against an inexperienced Mumbai City side comprising of players from their academy and reserve side under the guidance of Mohan Suresh Daas. Noah Sadaoui, Adrian Luna and Kwame Peprah led the attack while Millos Drincic along with Hormipam Ruivah manned the defence.
It took 31 minutes for Kerala Blasters to open the floodgates against an inexperienced Mumbai City side in a match they completely dominated from the very first minute, having 13 attempts on goal in the first half. Noah Sadaoui, Adrian Luna and Kwame Peprah were in full song as the young Mumbai defenders looked clueless against the quality of the attackers. The opening goal would have come earlier if not for the brilliant goal line clearance by Mohammed Kaif and a disallowed goal by Kwame Peprah.
Right back Aibhan Dohling’s cross was perfectly met by Noah Sadaoui and the American striker’s volley rested in the right corner beyond the Mumbai goalkeeper to give Blasters the lead in the 31st minute. Noah missed a golden opportunity to double the lead but the striker hit the crossbar with his effort. Adrian Luna set-up the second goal as he threaded through ball to Peprah tearing the Mumbai backline apart as Peprah finished with ease in the bottom-right corner. The Ghanaian doubled his tally after six minutes finishing expertly on the rebound from a save by the goalkeeper from a header by Adrian Luna.
Noah Sadaoui also completed his double as the Blasters continued their dominance into the second half. Mohammed Aimen cross from the right wing on the far post was headed in by Noah with ease. Peprah completed his hat-trick after three minutes as the striker received a pass from Danish Farooq and a powerful finish past the keeper found the net for the first hat-trick of this year’s tournament.
Noah Sadaoui eventually completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute. Substitute Yoihenba Meeitei made an impact straight away as he played the ball to an unmarked Noah who used the time and space to finish brilliantly for his third and the sixth of the game for the Blasters.
Ishan Pandita who came in for Kwame Peprah scored two goals in the space of two minutes to round off a dominant evening. The Indian international made full use of a mix up between the Mumbai keeper and the defender and slotted the loose ball into the net with ease. Then after the restart, Kerala Blasters won the ball back quickly and Pandita received the ball inside the box which the striker finished into the top right corner to round up an impressive night for the Blasters.
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