Kerala Blasters come from behind against ATK to clinch first match of ISL 2019

KOCHI: Kerala Blasters beat ATK in the opening match of the Hero Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehri Stadium here. After conceding early in the first half, the Kerala team came back strongly with two goals in quick succession from the new signing Bartholomew Ogbeche.

Early in the match Irish player McHugh fired in the opener cushioned to him by Agustin García Iniguez from a set-piece into the box. ATK then had multiple opportunities called off by the referee before Ogbeche scored a penalty for Blasters. ATK had dominated the match till then, but the picture changed as the yellow team came closer and closer to another goal.

The Men in Yellow started to have more of the ball and the lead came just before half time. ATK’S Pronay failed to clear a low cross from Prasanth Karuthadathkuni and the loose ball was fired in by a lurking Ogbeche.

Two-time champions ATK scored their 100th goal in the Hero Indian Super League but that wasn't enough to provide them with any joy in the opening match of the sixth edition at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on Sunday.

Carl McHugh had put ATK ahead with an absolute stunner in only the sixth minute of the game but the hosts egged on by a vociferous crowd, hit back with two goals from new signing Bartholomew Ogbeche in the first half itself for a 2-1 victory.

ATK continued to threaten the Kerala defence, but their finishing was off.

The result sees Kerala get the better of ATK in their ISL opener once again, having recorded a 2-0 win last season in Kolkata.