ATK Mohun Bagan made a huge statement by thrashing the lackluster Kerala Blasters 4-2 in the season opener of the Indian Super League at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Friday.
Hugo Boumous (3′, 39′) and Liston Colaco (50′) and Roy Krishna (27′ P) scored for ATKMB while Jorge Diaz (69′) and Sahal Abdul Samad (24′) found the net for the Blasters.
Former FC Goa and Mumbai City FC star Boumous became the league’s fastest scorer in an opening encounter, finding the net from outside the box within three minutes to give Bagan a dream start.
Sahal Samad made the score level after 24 minutes when Rahul KP did well down the right flank, picking out an inch-perfect cross towards Sahal just near the box, who drove in with aplomb.
But the joy of the equaliser was short-lived as Roy Krishna won a penalty and converted it just after three minutes. The Fiji-born forward slotted from the spot giving no chance for Blasters keeper Albino Gomes.
Antonio Habas’ men finished the first half in a strong position as Boumous capitalised on being left unmarked. He ventured out with precision, hit it across and through the keeper’s legs to deliver a two-goal cushion.
Liston Colaco curled in a fourth goal in the 50th minute to put the game into bed before Jorge Diaz pulled a goal against the run of the match to set up a nervy finish.
ATK Mohun Bagan will be taking plenty of positives from the game as they outplayed a Blasters side who had a strong pre-season while the Kerala side will be concerned for the prospectus of a yet another disappointing season.
In the next game, Bagan will meet city rivals East Bengal in the famous Kolkata derby, while Blasters will face North East United on Thursday to bounce back from an early setback.
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