The sixth edition of the Indian Super League got off to a rousing start at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, with the home team, Kerala Blasters, taking a 2-1 lead over ATK at half-time in the opening match of the season.
ATK’s British midfielder Carl McHugh scored in the sixth minute before Kerala Blasters skipper Bartholomew Ogbeche took over by equalising from the penalty spot and then slotting home from the edge of the box to give Kerala Blasters a 2-1 lead.
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ATK looked to be dominating large parts of the game, particularly after McHugh’s volley from close range to score the first goal of the tournament. Blasters looked tentative and gave away possession numerous times in their own half. But the home side slowly found their feet and forced their way back into the game.
The penalty came in the 29th minute after Brazilian defender Jairo Rodrigues—who received a booking earlier—was pulled down by Pronay Haldar in the box off a corner kick. ATK were denied a penalty just moments before at the other end, and the string of events sent ATK coach Antonio Habas fuming at the touchline. This was after several decisions went the Kerala side’s way.
And, just when it looked like the half would end in a stalemate, Ogbeche pulled a trick out of his hat to send the Kochi crowd into raptures. Blasters winger Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, who had a brilliant half, flew down the right to drive in a low cross towards Ogbeche. The interception botched, the ball fell to the Frenchman’s feet and he whipped it into the top right corner, minutes before half time.
The game is firmly on for both sides.
Lineups:
Kerala Blasters: Bilal Husain Khan (GK), Mohamad Rakip, Jairo Rodrigues, Jessel Allan Carneiro, Gianni Zuiverloon, Mouhamadou Gning, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Halicharan Narzary, Sergio Cindoncha, Thounaojam Jeakson Singh, Bartholomew Ogbeche (C)
ATK: Arindam Bhattacharja (GK), Augustin Garcia Iniguez, Pritam Kotal (C), Prabir Das, Carl Gerard McHugh, Pronay Haldar, Javier Hernandez, Jayesh Rane, David Williams, Soosai Raj, Roy Krishna