12th April, Kozhikode: Sreenidi Deccan FC pulled off a shock 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters in a Group A encounter of the ongoing Hero Super Cup here at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Wednesday. First half goals from Rilwan Hassan and David Castaneda sealed a historic win for the Deccan Warriors whilst also giving them a chance to make it to the semifinals of the Hero Super Cup.

 

Sreenidi Deccan named an unchanged side from their 1-1 draw with Bengaluru FC while Kerala Blasters made a number of changes from their 3-1 win over RoundGlass Punjab. After some early exchanges, Sreenidi Deccan struck first on the counter-attack with Nigerian winger Rilwan Hassan cutting in from the left and curling it past Sachin Suresh in the Kerala Blasters goal in the 17th minute. 

 

That should have spurred the Blasters into action but they looked uncharacteristically lethargic and it was the Hyderabad-based side Sreenidi Deccan who took control of the game, dominating possession and creating chances. The Deccan Warriors were rewarded for their dominance as they doubled their lead in the 43rd minute through captain Castaneda who volleyed in Dinesh Singh’s cross from the left.

 

The second half saw Kerala Blasters finally come to life and put pressure on the Sreenidi goal but the I-League team stood firm and repelled all that came their way. Goalkeeper Aryan Lamba came to their rescue on a few occasions, keeping out the likes of Rahul KP, Ivan Kalyuzhnyi and Dimitrios Diamantakos. Sreenidi Deccan midfielder Phalguni Singh was adjudged the Hero of the Match.