Kochi: Captain Bartholomew Ogbeche’s twin strikes handed Kerala Blasters a 2-1 come-from-behind win over ATK in the opening match of Indian Super League (ISL) Season 6 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
Ogbeche converted a penalty to draw level on the half-hour mark and then produced a super strike to give the hosts the edge at the half-time break. Ogbeche also repaid the faith his coach Eelco Schattorie had in him. The two had played a key role in NorthEast United FC making it to the play-offs for the first time last season and they have made the perfect start with Blasters.
The penalty resulted after Pronay Halder brought down Jairo Rodrigues inside the box following a corner kick. Halder again was the culprit as his failed to clear a cross from K Prasanth and Ogbeche made ATK pay dearly with a thunderbolt on the stroke of half-time as the home crowd of 36,298 erupted in joy.
Two-time champions ATK pressed forward in the second half, but the Blasters defence held firm.
Ogbeche set up Prasanth in the 62nd, but he delayed his shot and Moustapha Gning headed the cross wide as Blasters failed to consolidate their position.
Soon Mario Blasco, who came on for Sergio Cindoncha, made a vital block to deny Roy Krishna as Blasters survived a scare.
Krishna threatened the Blasters goal again, however, he was denied by an alert Jairo.
Substitute Blawant Singh’s header missed the mark narrowly in injury time as Blasters picked up three precious points. Schattorie, though, would have been worried to see Blasco being stretchered off in added time with a hamstring injury.
Blasters next meet Mumbai City FC at Kochi on Thursday.
Early strike
A superb volley by midfielder Carl McHugh gave ATK an early lead. The English midfielder connected sweetly as Agustin Iniguez headed backwards off a free-kick in the sixth minute. It was also ATK’s hundredth goal in the ISL.
Soon Blasters had a fine chance to draw level off a free-kick, but Brazilian defender Jairo headed over.
Krishna made a superb run into the Blasters box in the 21st minute, only to see Javier Hernandez not in position to latch on to his cutback.
Schattorie started off with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ogbeche being the lone man up front. Blasters wore a new look as barring Mohammad Rakip, Prasanth and Halicharan Narzary all others in the first eleven made their debut for the Yellow Brigade.
Rakip, Jairo, Jessel Carneiro and Gianni Zuiverloon formed the Blasters backline in the absence of the injured Sandesh Jhingan.
