Kerala Blasters FC secured their first point of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season by drawing 1-1 with East Bengal FC in Match 31 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.
Muhammad Ajsal scored a dramatic stoppage-time header to level the game.
East Bengal took an early lead in the 10th minute when Youssef Ezzejjari converted a penalty after Aibanbha Dohling fouled Ezzejjari in the box following a pass from Edmund Lalrindika. Ezzejjari calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.
The Blasters, undeterred by the early setback, maintained pressure throughout the first half and continued to challenge East Bengal’s defence in the second half. East Bengal sought to extend their lead, including a notable chance from Basim Rashid, but were unable to score again.
In the 92nd minute, East Bengal’s defence lost focus during a corner, allowing Ajsal a free header to equalise past goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill. Ajsal was named Player of the Match.
East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon made two changes to his starting line-up, including skipper Saul Crespo and PV Vishnu. Kerala Blasters head coach David Catala made four changes, bringing in Sandeep Singh, Danish Farooq, Fallou Ndiaye and Ebindas Yesudasan for Bikash Yumnam, Nihal Sudeesh, Victor Bertomeu and Matias Hernandez respectively.