Atletico de Kolkata's defence held firm and silenced the 50,000-strong crowd in Kochi as Javi Lara's scrappy, deflected goal proved to be enough for the former champions of the Indian Super League to down Kerala Blasters, 1-0.
For the second successive year, Kolkata might lose the services of marquee player Helder Postiga as he went down injured in the 11th minute. Juan Belencoso, who replaced the Portuguese early in the first half was called into action straight away. Javi Lara put in a deadly cross from the left but Belencoso, who could have reached the ball, did not move. Then came a mean shot from Blasters' Antonio German, which went inches over the bar.
Blasters' Mohammed Rafique then went close with a cut-in and shot from outside the box but his effort went wide. Duckens Nazon, with his big presence, was drawing defenders in and was creating space for German during this passage of play, as the Blasters threatened the ATK goal with direct runs into the box.
The second half started with German making a powerful run in to the Kolkata territory but his surge fizzled out, just as the situation demanded him to get his scoring boots on. Belencoso had another great chance after Sameehg Doutie set him up with a sumptuous cross from the right, but yet again, the Spanish striker was wasteful despite not being tightly marked.
The goal came against the run of play, and fortune smiled brightly on Kolkata. Javi Lara got a bit of space outside the box, and his shot truck Sandesh Jhingan on the inside of his thigh, leaving goalkeeper Graham Stack flat-footed.
Over the past two seasons, Kolkata have not been a side that concede too many goals once they go ahead. The away side was lethal on the counter-attack and could have doubled their lead had they showed a bit of finesse in and around the box. Blasters' skipper Cedrick Hengbart could have equalised from a corner at the back post, but it did not go in for the home side on another day, where they were uncoordinated and bereft of ideas in front of goal.
Brief Score
Kerala Blasters 0 lose to Atletico de Kolkata 1 (Javi Lara)
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