Fatorda, Goa: The Hero ISL 2021-22 got off to a start with the usual opener that people have come to expect – ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters FC. However, akin to last year, fans have had to stick to supporting their team from the comfort of their homes, with their TV sets being the only solace.
Right from the get-go, ATKMB went all guns blazing and their constant pressing and efforts were duly rewarded. Hugo Boumous, playing for his new team made sure his bosses were happy by scoring a goal in almost no time.
Kerala’s spell of bad luck continued as shouts of a genuine handball in the opponent’s penalty area was turned down by the referee, who pointed to the corner instead. The corner kick taken was good, however the final kick lacked finishing, resulting in a disappointed KBFC bench.
Fortunes were quick to change however, with a great shot on goal from Sahal Abdul Samad, comprehensively beating a helpless Amrinder Singh at the ATKMB goalpost.
Parity was restored within a few minutes however, with Roy Krishna being brought down in the penalty area by the Kerala custodian Albino Gomes. Gomes, who’s known to have saved multiple penalties over the last couple of seasons couldn’t do much in this season’s opener and ATKMB managed to snatch their lead back from Kerala.
In the 38th minute, Hugo Boumous again worked his magic and skid past the defender and scored from a tight angle, beating Albino to make it 3-1. In the added minutes of the first half, Liston Colaco had a chance to make it 4-1 in favour of ATKMB but he failed to get his shot off, thanks to some quick thinking by the Kerala defence.
Come second half, and ATKMB continued wreaking havoc. A stunner by Liston Colaco left Gomes lunging to no avail. Kerala managed to take one back in the 69th minute, with Pereyra Diaz reducing the deficit to 2.
5 minutes were added as injury time in the second half, but the scoreline continued to remain the same onto full-time, with the final reading being ATKMB 4 – 2 KBFC.
Goal Scorers:
3’ – Hugo Adnan Boumous (ATKMB)
24’ – Sahal Abdul Samad (KBFC)
27’ – Roy Krishna (ATKMB) – Penalty
39’ – Hugo Adnan Boumous (ATKMB)
50’ – Liston Colaco (ATKMB)
69’ – Pereyra Diaz (KBFC)
Report by: Sudeep S
