Spanish striker Koke’s opportunistic first-half strike ensured a 1-0 win for the NorthEast United FC against Sachin Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters FC in the second match of the Hero Indian Super League, here on Monday.
The former Marseille frontman struck at the stroke of the break in the 45th minute with a snap angular right-footer that beat former England custodian David James, manning the Blasters bar.
NorthEast could have gone ahead in the 33rd minute when a 30-yard pile-driver from Durga Boro was brilliantly saved by an airborne James. Boro unleashed a lethal punch with his outstep and James dived full stretch to keep the home team at bay.
Blasters could have got the lead but an Iain Hume goal was ruled off-side by the referee.
It was the ‘Yellow Brigade’ coached by Trevor Morgan, who were on the ascendancy during the better part of the 30 minutes but former East Bengal playmaker Penn Orji and current Mohun Bagan striker CS Sabeeth could not provide the team with decisive result.
In the 27th minute, Sabeeth dodged past defender and took a strong shot towards the near post. NorthEast custodian Alexandros Tzorvas dives brilliantly to avert the danger.
In the 55th minute, Hume charged down the right flank to essay a measured cross, along the ground, in front of the goal but Aibor Khongjee cleared it for a corner.
The biggest disappointment for the Blasters was former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra. Within seven minutes of each other, Chopra messed up couple of chances.
In the 77th minute, Chopra twisted and turned to get away from three defenders, makd space and fired it towards the far post but Tzorvas dived to his right to parry it away.
In the 84th minute, Hume received a header inside the box but, unbalanced, he tried to lob the ball over the keeper Tzorvas who got his fingertips to it but the ball was cleared by Robin Gurung.
Gurung’s clearance went to Chopra, who was within five yards but his shot didn’t have the requisite punch or the placement to find the net.
The result: NorthEast United FC 1 (Koke 45) bt Kerala Blasters 0.
