Kerala Blasters defeat ATK in season opener

Goals from Kerala's two new strikers handed the Yellows their first ever win in Kolkata...

ATK were handed a 0-2 defeat by Kerala Blasters in the 2018-19 Indian Super League (ISL) curtain-raiser at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.Matej Poplatnik (77') scored the first goal of the season while Slavisa Stojanovic (86') hit another as Steve Coppell lost to his former employers by conceding goals in the last quarter of an hour.

Coppell in his first competitive match with ATK chose to field his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Aiborlang Khongjee started on the right side of defence with Sena Ralte on the opposite flank. John Johnson and Gerson Viera were the two centre-backs shielding Arindam Bhattacharya under the sticks. Noussair El Maimouni and Pronay Halder played as a double pivot in front of the four-man defence. Jayesh Rane and Balwant Singh and started on the left and right flank respectively with Manuel Lanzarote slotting in at the number 10 position. Everton Santos started as the sole striker.

On the other hand, David James chose to stick to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation but surprisingly fielded only four overseas players in the starting XI. FIFA U-17 world cup sensation Dheeraj Singh made his ISL debut who was protected by a back four comprising of Nemanja Lakic Pesic, Sandesh Jhingan, Lalruatthara and Mohamad Rakip. Len Doungel and Halicharan Narzary manned the wings with Sahal Samad and Nikola Krcmarevic performing their respective duties at the centre of the park. Slavisa Stojanovic and Matej Poplatnik spearheaded the Blasters' attack.

The visitors started on the front foot and had more purpose while going forward with the ball.

The first chance of the game went to them when Balwant misplaced a pass from the baseline which fell for Lalruatthara. The left-back floated an inch-perfect cross into the box which was met by a strong header from Poplatnik. If the Slovenian had managed to keep it on target then Blasters would have gone ahead as early as the fourth minute.

Chances came in thick and fast for Blasters as it was one-way traffic for the first 10 minutes. It took a goal-line save from Sena Ralte to keep the score unchanged when Lakic Pesic thundered in a header from a flag-kick taken by Poplatnik.

ATK got the first glimpses of goal when Lanzarote showed his class from a corner on the other end. His curling delivery crashed into the crossbar and went out to safety, much to the relief of debutante Dheeraj.

Blasters continued to be the dominant force but lacked quality in finishing. On the 19th minute mark, Narzary floated in a cross which evaded the entire ATK defence and fell for an unmarked Len. But the former NorthEast United striker made a hash of the opportunity as he could only head wide from sniffing distance of goal.

ATK did not enjoy any considerable period of continued possession and was equally ineffective to hit on the break. After a prolonged spell of silence, the home crowd got something to cheer for on the 26th minute when Lanzarote hoisted a long ball deep in Blasters' territory which was fantastically brought down by Rane for Santos. The Brazilian did not think twice before firing a shot which went whiskers over the crossbar.

Although Coppell's men could not threaten Jhingan and co. in open play, they looked menacing during set-pieces. ATK could have drawn first blood against the run of play if Rane could have kept his header on target from a corner delivered by Maimouni.

The scoreline remained unchanged at the break and James' men had no one to blame but themselves for failing to make their domination count.

ATK looked a shade better after the resumption of play but their attacking prowess fizzled out as Blasters once again clawed their way back into the game.

Coppell brought on Nigerian Kalu Uche and Eugeneson Lyngdoh on the 75th minutes but the double change backfired as ATK conceded minutes after the substitutions.

Poplatnik broke the deadlock and got his name on the scoresheet after he managed to put the ball past Bhattacharya from close range. Second half substitute Courage Pekuson found Stojanovic just outside the edge of the box who decided to try his luck immediately after receiving the ball. His attempted shot ricochetted off Viera to fall for Poplatnik who made no mistake to bury the ball into the net.

Four minutes from regulation time Stojanovic doubled the lead for Blasters courtesy of a stunning effort from outside the box after Narzary found the Serbian with a long ball from the centre of the park.

After a disappointing start, ATK would look to bounce back in their next match against NorthEast United on October 4 while Kerala Blasters would host Mumbai City FC at home a day later.