Thiruvananthapuram Kombans and Kannur Warriors shared points in an intense round 3 match of the Super League Kerala at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
Kannur Warriors FC started the game with a high-pressing strategy, putting the hosts under immediate pressure. Kombans, led by captain Patrick Motta, initially struggled to maintain possession as Kannur dominated the early stages.
As the first half unfolded, Kombans began to find their rhythm, gradually gaining momentum in the midfield.
The match turned aggressive, with both teams vying for control, resulting in numerous fouls and bookings. Despite the intense atmosphere, Kombans created a few chances in Kannur's half, but goalkeeper Ajmal made crucial saves to keep the score level. Just before halftime, Kombans' captain Patrick Motta was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men for the rest of the match.
In the second half, Kannur’s head coach, Manuel Muriez, sought to capitalise on their numerical advantage and pushed his team to attack aggressively. Kannur controlled possession, with forward Asier Gomes spearheading their offensive efforts and putting the Kombans defence under constant pressure. The breakthrough for Kannur arrived in the 57th minute when Lavsamba scored a stunning goal from outside the box, giving his team a well-deserved lead.
However, the goal ignited a resurgence in Kombans and their determination paid off in the 85th minute when Ganesan found the back of the net. In the closing minutes, both teams battled fiercely in search of a winner.