Baumus beat Kerala Blasters in first season as ATK Mohun Bagan
ATK Mohun Bagan put up a stellar performance by defeating Kerala Blasters 4-2 in the first game of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) here on Friday.
Hugo Baumos (3′, 39′) and Liston Colaco (50′) were brought in above Rs 3.5 crore, scoring in goals that paid an immediate dividend. Roy Krishna (27′ P), too, didn’t fail to capitalize on the spot, still in between goals.
For the Blasters, young Paheli Sahal Abdul Samad (24′) thought he had equalised, but in vain. Baumus, a former FC Goa and Mumbai City FC star, became the league’s fastest scorer in the opening match, finding the net from outside the box within three minutes.
ATK Mohun Bagan suddenly struggled to deal with the Blasters’ retaliatory strike. Rahul KP did a good job on the bottom of the right flank picking up an inch-perfect cross towards Sahal Samad right near the box, who went inside with aplomb.
That joy was short-lived as Roy Krishna won and converted the penalty minutes later. Albino Gomes got nowhere close to the elite football mind of the Fiji-born forward.
The first half was sealed and delivered as Baumus was left unmarked. He came out with precision, hitting it and through the keeper’s legs to deliver a two-goal cushion.
After the break, Liston Colaco curled in an entertaining fourth goal with little help from Krishna, much to the delight of coach Antonio López Habas.
The game with the ball then entered a similar contest but ATK continued to tease the defenders of Mohun Bagan Blasters.
Jorge Diaz (69′) pulled a goal back from nowhere for the Blasters as ATK Mohun Bagan appeared a bit complacent in maintaining their shape.
ATK Mohun Bagan will be happy with the performance considering Kerala Blasters enter the game with a strong pre-season.
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