- Kerala Blasters defeated ATK in the opening fixture of the 6th season of the Indian Super League.
- ATK took the lead in the 5th minute.
- However, Kerala captain Ogbeche scored twice in the first half to rescue the team and win the game 2-1.
The 6th season of the Indian Super League kicked off with a 2-1 win for hosts Kerala Blasters against ATK at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Blasters went down by a goal early in the first half only to come back by 2 goals to seal the win.
This was the third consecutive season where Kerala and Kolkata have faced off in the opening fixture of the ISL, with Kerala winning two of the three.
Captain Ogbeche to the rescue
In the opening game of the Indian Super League, Kerala Blasters were hosts to 2-time champions ATK. The Kolkata based club took the lead after a beautiful goal from Carl McHugh in the 5th minute. The goal also brought up ATK’s 100th league goal in the ISL. A nervy couple of moments from Kerala’s goalkeeper could have seen ATK double the lead. However, the defenders were alert on their feet to clear the ball away from danger.
ATK striker Krishna had a few decent chances and looked like a player who could double their lead, but luck was not on his side in the opening game.
In the 24th minute, Kerala Blasters player Jario was brought down in the box which gave them a chance to equalize. Blasters captain Ogbeche claimed the penalty and finished it off cooly in the bottom left corner of the goal which the goalkeeper could not get his hand on.
It was Ogbeche once again who gave the hosts a lead in the 45th minute after scoring a sensational goal which even the best keeper in the world wouldn’t have managed to save.
The remaining 45 minutes consisted of some close chances and efforts, which were not enough for both the sides to add any more goals to the scoreboard. The match ended 2-1 for Kerala’s relief after going down by a goal early in the first half.
ATK players would be kicking themselves for not capitalising on the missed chances. Since it’s still very early in the season, there are plenty of games to make up for and improve upon the disappointing first game of the season.
Kerala Blasters and ATK are bitter rivals in the ISL as the Kolkata based club ATK have won 2 finals over Kerala blasters, once in the inaugural season of the ISL winning 1-0. The second was in 2016 when ATK beat Kerala 4-3 on penalties.
A thrilling start to the 2019-20 #HeroISL season sees @KeralaBlasters claim a 2-1 win over @ATKFC in Kochi!#ISLRecap #KERKOL #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/hLMdVc3VKL
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 20, 2019
✅ A strong performance
✅ Two from our skipper
✅ All 3 pointsFootball is back in Kochi!?#KERKOL #YennumYellowpic.twitter.com/y16dPXiiwn
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) October 20, 2019
In the 2nd game which will be played on Monday, reigning champions Bengaluru FC will take on NorthEast United FC in Bengaluru. The game will kick off at 730 PM, and it will be available to stream on Hotstar, Star Sports networks or Jio TV.
A new season begins with a trip to the home of the defending champions! ✈️
Who else can't wait for the season to begin? ?#StrongerAsOne #BENNEU pic.twitter.com/TyUXyAYg8Z
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) October 20, 2019
