ISL 2020-21 Highlights: Kerala Blasters vs ATK Mohun Bagan. ISL 2020-21, Kerala Blasters vs ATK Mohun Bagan Highlights: ATK Mohun Bagan grabbed all the three points on their ISL debut as they defeated Kerala Blasters at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim in this season’s curtain-raiser on Friday.
Even with Kibu Vicuna’s side dominating the possession early on in the match, ATKMB threatened their goal two/three times through their Fijian forward Roy Krishna. After the first half ended goalless, Krishna put the Mariners ahead in the 67th minute with a left-footed low drive past Albino Gomes. Kerala tried to snatch an equaliser into the stoppage time but the Sandesh Jhingan-led defence stood tall till the last minute.
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Even after four minutes of stoppage time, Kerala fail to snatch something from the opener. Vicuna's side kept a lot of the ball at their feet but they struggled to come up with chances. Apart from some shots by Sahal, Arindam wasn't troubled much. Krishna, on the other end, was a constant menace and came up with the winning goal in the 67th minute. A good start for the Mariners.
David Williams has been brought on for five minutes now for ATKMB. Vicuna goes all in as he brings on an attacker in place of a centre-back. Lalruatthara and Facundo Pereyra come in place of Sahal Abdul Samad and Bakary Kone. Can they get a point here?
After Garcia misses a golden opportunity at the other end off Krishna's touch, Kerala try to grab their equaliser. From a corner, they put the pressure on. Sahal receives the ball on the edge of the box and he slices the ball way above Arindam's head.
Two changes for the Blasters now, as Sergio Cidoncha and Ritwik Das come off to be replaced by Jordan Murray and Lalthathanga Khawlhring. Vicuna's side are desperately looking for an equaliser, but ATKMB are well into their groove now.
After a bit of a mishap between Arindam and Jhingan on the other end, ATKMB take the lead through a strike from Fiji. Manvir works hard down the left flank and then crosses the ball. Krishna pounces on the loose ball and scores with a left-footed strike.
Apart from Sahal entirely missing the ball for his shot at goal ten minutes ago, the half hasn't had much happening in Bambolim. Vicuna, understanding the match needs new blood, brings on Seityasen Singh in place of Nongdamba Naorem.
After a half chance missed by Sahal at the other end, ATKMB have a free kick after a clumsy tackle from Kone on Edu Garcia. The Spaniard takes the free-kick but it is too close to Albino, who convincingly punches the ball out of danger.
Goalless at the end of the first half! After Vicuna's side dominated the end of the half, the whistle goes. Kerala have dominated the ball with 62% possession but Hooper is yet to be brought into the game. The match is yet to have a single shot on target.
After Garcia gets booked after a challenge on Vicente, Kerala take their free kick short. Jessel tries to test Arindam from way out of the box but his shot gets a deflection and it's a corner for Kerala. Nothing comes off of that set piece though.
Kerala keep on probing from their left flank and Naorem floats a cross for Hooper. It takes a deflection and lands at the feet of Ritwik, but the young winger misses the chance two yards away from goal. Pronay gets booked later on.
After taking a drinks break, the teams are back into it again. Kerala try to overplay inside their own half, but Halder intercepts a poor pass and just slides it in for Krishna. The Fijian takes a shot from outside the box but it flies over. So, so close.
After Kerala falter with their corner kick by conceding a foul, ATKMB come very close to scoring the opening goal of the new season. From Garcia's corner, McHugh just heads it past the near post. Are we in for a goalless first half in Bambolim?
In the opening quarter of an hour, Kerala have dominated the proceedings with a lot of the ball at their feet. They are yet to threaten the Jhingan-led defence though. Meanwhile, Soosairaj is writhing in pain now and is substituted by Subhasis Bose.
Kerala Blasters (4-3-3): Albino Gomes; Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Bakary Kone, Costa Nhamoinesu, Jessel Carneiro; Vicente Gomez, Sergio Cidoncha, Sahal Abdul Samad; Ritwik Das, Nongdamba Noarem, Gary Hooper
Substitutes: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Nishu Kumar, Lalruatthara, Seityasen Singh, Jeakson Singh, Rohit Kumar, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Jordan Murray, Facundo Pereyra
ATK Mohun Bagan (3-4-2-1): Arindam Bhattacharya; Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Tiri; Prabir Das, Pronay Halder, Carl McHugh, Michael Soosairaj; Javi Hernandez, Edu Garcia; Roy Krishna
Substitutes: Avilash Paul, Subhasish Bose, Sumit Rathi, Glan Martins, Bradden Inman, SK Sahil, Manvir Singh, David Williams, Jayesh Rane