Defending champion Atletico de Kolkata returned to winning ways downing Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in a Hero ISL season-II match at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Tuesday. Arata Izumi and Javi Lara found the target once in each half for the host while Chris Dagnall pulled one back late in the second session for the visitors.
The win put ATK on top of the points table with seven points from three matches while Blasters, who were in the second spot before the match with four points, suffered their first loss of the tournament.
Looking to shake off the absence of a host of regulars, Atletico took the attack route right from the start. Spanish midfielder Lara rattled the Blasters’ crosspiece with a pile-driver from around 25 yards in the fifth minute to signal the intent of the home side.
Keeping up the momentum, ATK found the lead in the sixth minute with its Canadian striker Iain Hume getting in to the act. Hume, playing as the lone striker in absence of the injured Portuguese World Cupper Helder Postiga, chested down a long floater from the middle and essayed a fine shot on the turn. Though Blasters’ custodian Stephen Baywater blocked the shot, Izumi Arata running in from the other side of the box slotted in the rebound.
The host spent the rest of the first half consolidating its defence as Blasters sought to regroup. With Atletico depending heavily on the seasoned Spaniard Josemi in defence, it was essential to bolster the backline which ATK did by pushing in more reinforcements at the back.
The visitor could well have found the break in the 38th minute when Mehtab Hossain fired a fine volley from around 30 yards. Juan Calatayud, manning the ATK goal, pulled the first of his many good saves as he lunged forward to block the effort of the Blasters centre-half.
The next opportunity came in the 41st minute when Rahul Bheke made the most of a miss-pass from the ATK left-back N. Mohanraj and set up a fine cross across the ATK goalmouth. Dagnall timed his effort on the Bheke pass a trifle too late to see the ball sail across the ATK goalmouth untouched.
The second session did not alter the situation for Blasters, who continued to search for the right move that would unsettle the host’s defence. The two Englishmen — Dagnall and Sanchez Watt — could not find the incisive form and remained largely ineffective in the striking zone.
Atletico doubled its lead in the 53rd minute capping a fine move that saw Hume setting up Lara inside the Blasters’ box with a nice lay-off. The Spaniard showed fine ball-control to get clear of the onrushing opposition captain Peter Ramage and found the net with a powerful right-footer.
Blasters regained their touch in the final 10 minutes of the action as Dagnall pulled one back off a cross from Ramage in the 80th minute to revive the hopes of the visitor. Both Watt and Dagnall came very close to scoring the equaliser in the 82nd and 90+1 minutes but Calatayud stood firm under the ATK bar.
The result: Atletico de Kolkata 2 (Arata Izumi 6, Javi Lara 53) bt Kerala Blasters 1 (Chris Dagnall 80).
