Chennai, 31 October: Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters FC drew 0-0 at a sold-out Marina Arena on Saturday in Chennaiyin’s first home match of the MG Indian Super League 2026-27 season. Adrian Luna had the best chance to win it for Kerala, but his 49th-minute penalty struck the woodwork.
Chennaiyin’s Irfan Yadwad also hit the crossbar in the 69th minute, and Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Amrinder Singh made several important saves, the last of them a one-on-one stop in the 89th minute.
Amrinder keeps Chennaiyin out
Both sides pressed high from the start in a physical game. Chennaiyin had the first clear chance in the 31st minute, when Madih Talal stepped over the ball, cut inside and curled a right-footed shot that Amrinder pushed away.
Four minutes later Ramon Tanque found Yadwad inside the box, and Amrinder made another good save from his powerful shot. Kerala tried to hit back on the break and sent several crosses into the box, but the home defence dealt with them. The first half finished goalless.
Luna’s penalty comes back off the woodwork
Kerala Blasters brought on Sumit Singh for Hormipam Ruivah at the restart and started the second half on the front foot. Luna crossed for Mohammad Sanan, who was brought down by Yadwad, and the ball also struck the Chennaiyin player’s arm as he protested. The referee pointed to the spot.
Luna paused before his run-up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, but his kick hit the woodwork and rolled clear. Andre Green then broke quickly in the 54th minute and hit a left-footed shot across goal, which Mohammad Nawaz saved.
The game grew more heated, with scuffles breaking out on several occasions. Chennaiyin brought on Lalhriatpuia Chawnghtu for Ayush Chhetri and S Prakadeswaran for Brison Fernandes around the hour mark. In the 69th minute Yadwad tried to curl a right-footed shot across Amrinder, but it hit the top-right corner of the crossbar.
Late chance and two red cards
Kerala changed their attack in the 77th minute, with Vibin Mohanan replacing Korou Singh and MS Sreekuttan coming on for Sanan. Luna was replaced by Momo Yansane five minutes later. Chennaiyin sent on Bryce Miranda and Dippendu Biswas for Tanque and Bhutia in the 87th minute.
Chennaiyin almost won it in the 89th minute. They intercepted a Kerala set piece and broke, Miranda played Yadwad through, and Yadwad tried to chip the goalkeeper, but Amrinder saved again.
In the second minute of stoppage time a scuffle broke out, and Kerala’s Andre Green and Chennaiyin’s Emmanuel Imanishimwe were both sent off. It was the last action of the match.
The draw came three days after another ISL meeting ended level, when FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi drew 1-1 at Fatorda.
Indian Super League 2026-27
The MG Indian Super League is India’s top-tier professional football league. This season’s competition has 13 clubs: Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.
