Indian Super League: Kerala Blasters FC Thrash NorthEast United FC
Josu, Mohammad Rafi and Sanchez Watt scored for Kerala Blasters FC in the 3-1 win. Nicolas Velez scored the lone goal for NorthEast United FC.
Kerala Blasters FC got their campaign off to a rollicking start by recording a convincing 3-1 win over NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Tuesday. (Sachin Tendulkar to cheer Kerala Blasters FC)
After a goal-less first half, Kerala Blasters opened the scoring in the 49th minute through Josu at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The lead was doubled when former India striker Mohammad Rafi headed one in the 68th minute. Sanchez Watt soon consolidated the hosts' position with another goal in the 72nd minute, leaving the visitors clueless.
The NorthEast, who finished last in the inaugural edition, finally found themselves on the scoresheet when Argentine Nicolas Velez brought the margin down with a strike in the 82nd minute. The effort was a mere consolation as last season's finalist Blasters garnered full points from the game in front of their home crowd. Team co-owner Sachin Tendulkar was ecstatic after Kerala's impressive win.
Great start team @KBFCOfficial. Enjoyed the game and the massive fan support. #LetsFootball @IndSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/CcCJ2Z3jcH
- sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 6, 2015
The Blasters went ahead when Josu, a Barcelona youth product, unleashed a powerful left-footer to send the ball to the top corner of the net after C K Vineeth's attempted overhead kick fell on his way.
Following a long throw-in into the box by Rahul Bheke, Carvalho's flick was headed in by Rafi at the far post to leave the home fans jubilant.
More agony was in store for the visiting side as Sanchez Watt, who is a product of the Arsenal youth school, took the ball beautifully after being fed by Bywater and Rafi. Watt was onside and with no defender marking him, it was easy for him to shoot the ball between goalkeeper Rehenesh's feet and into the back of the net.
As all looked lost for the north-easterners, Velez reduced the margin after he cut inside following a pass by Silas.
Earlier, in the first half, both teams failed to find the back of the net. When they managed to spilt the defence, their strikers were caught offside.