Kerala Blasters FC started their 2018-19 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) campaign on a glorious note, earning a well-deserved victory over ATK at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

  • Matej Poplatnik opened the scoring for the Blasters in the 77th minute with a simple header to beat Arindam Bhattacharja.
  • Slavisla Stojanovic sealed the tie in the 86th minute with a stunning curling effort from outside the box to dash the hopes of the hosts.
  • Steve Coppell’s ATK appeared toothless in attack as David James’ men looked the better side for the majority of the match.

Kerala started off the game as the better of the two sides with Poplatnik being awarded the first chance of the season after a splendid cross by Lalruatthara down the left flank. However, the Slovenian was unable to direct his header on target as the ball narrowly missed the far post.

The hosts created their first meaningful chance of the game near the halfway point of the first period, when Everton Santos tried his luck from distance. Dheeraj Singh looked beaten in goal, but the ball grazed the top of the bar and went out for a goal kick. On the other end of the pitch, David James’ side continued piling pressure on the hosts.

However, the biggest chance of the first half fell to Jayesh Rane of ATK in the 39th minute. A swinging corner from El Maimouni Noussair found the young attacker with acres of space in the six-yard box, but he was unable to direct his header on target. That proved to be the last chance of an enthralling half as both sides went into the break all-square.

During the opening exchanges of the second half, both teams failed to impose themselves as the majority of the action was played out in midfield. Kerala’s captain Sandesh Jhingan was awarded the first real chance of the half from a set-piece situation, but the resulting header sailed hopelessly over the bar.

Nevertheless, Kerala’s incessant efforts finally paid dividends in the last quarter of the match when Poplatnik found the back of the net. Stojanovic’s deflected shot fell perfectly on to the Slovenian’s path and he comfortably headed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to give the Blasters a well-deserved lead.

The visitors sealed the tie minutes later when Poplatnik’s strike-partner Stojanovic doubled their lead. The forward picked up the ball a few yards outside the box, skipped past his marker before pulling off an exquisite curler which sailed into the far corner. The second goal proved too much for ATK as they succumbed to their first defeat of the season. It’s the first time in the club’s history that they have lost their opening Hero ISL fixture.

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH

It looked for all the world that the opening game would end in a stalemate for the second season in a row. However, Poplatnik had other ideas. The forward proved to be Kerala’s biggest threat with his clever runs down the channels and good positioning. His opening goal not only gifted Kerala with the much-needed confidence, but also made ATK push more men in attack which opened up enough space for his club to score the second.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award - Kerala Blasters FC

Swift Limitless Player of the Match - Jayesh Rane

DHL Winning Pass of the Match award - Halicharan Narzary

ISL Emerging Player of the Match - Dheeraj Singh

Hero of the Match - Matej Poplatnik

WHAT’S NEXT?

Kerala will hope to build on their victory when they host Mumbai City FC on October 5, while ATK will want to open their account for the season when they face neighbours NorthEast United FC at home on October 4.