The newly merged ATK Mohun Bagan started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters in the opening game of the Indian Super League 2020-21, in Bambolim, Goa.
Locked goalless at half-time, ATK MB's mercurial striker Roy Krishna capitalised on a defensive error to put his team ahead in the 67th minute, which ultimately proved to be difference.
Despite the result, Blasters seemed to be a shade better for major parts of the game but failed consistently in the final third. Playing 4-3-3, coach Kibu Vicuna sprang a couple of surprises, by benching defender Nishu Kumar and playing K. Prashanth in his position and handing a debut to midfielder Ritwik Das.
Returning from a long break because of the COVID-19 lockdown, both teams seemed cagey at the start, with the players dealing in back-passes and long balls. The first chance of the match fell to Krishna off a corner in the fourth minute. Having shaken off his marker, the Fijian striker could not connect cleanly with the ball at his feet.
ATK MB were dealt an early blow when Michael Soosairaj had to leave the field with injury in the 14th minute. But the Mariners continued to try and catch the Kerala side on counterattacks. But KBFC's defender-duo of Costa Nhamoinesu and Bakary Kone absorbed all the pressure and were confident on the ball.
Krishna threatened again in the 18th minute when he latched on to a loose ball outside the box but his final shot was blocked by a sliding Nhamoinesu. ATK MB again had a chance in the 27th minute off a corner but Gerard McHugh headed just wide.
The Mariners continued to create chances, with Edu Garcia failing to control the ball in front of the goal in the 35th minute. A couple of minutes later, however, it was Blasters' turn to miss a sitter when Das failed to connect with a cross across the face of the goal.
The Kerala side came out attacking in the second half, with a Jessel Carneiro's chip falling at Sahal Abdul Samad's feet but he ended up slicing the ball wide. The talented midfielder messed up yet another chance, similarly slicing the ball over the goal to cap off a forgettable night for him. Nongdamba Naorem, too, shot wide after a nice build-up play in the 55th minute.
In the 67th minute, however, against the run of play, Krishna found a loose ball at the edge of the Kerala box after Sergio Cidoncha and Vincente Gomez failed to clear a harmless chip from the left. The striker pounced on the ball and fired a low shot to the right of goalkeeper Albino Gomes.
Kerala Blasters made all five substitutions but failed to find the equaliser.
