ISL: KERALA BLASTERS DEFEAT EAST BENGAL IN A GOAL-FEST IN THE SECOND HALF

After two seasons in Kochi, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium resounded with the Manjappada chants as Kerala Blasters defeated East Bengal FC to open the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022–23.

The Blasters won 3-1 owing to Ivan Kaliuzhnyi's two goals in the second half and Adrian Luna's opener. East Bengal FC scores are credited to Alex Lima.

In the first half, both teams had opportunities to break the draw. Alex Lima attempted to put the ball into the bottom left corner in the seventh minute by cutting onto his left foot. Prabhsukhan Singh Gill stretched out fully to block the Brazilian's shot for a corner.

Three minutes later, Apostolos Giannou found himself at the end of a sublime cross from Jessel Carneiro. The Australian, though, was unable to keep his shot on target.

Luna attempted a free kick in the 42nd minute to challenge Kamaljit Singh. When the ball awkwardly bounced in front of Kamaljit, he was able to parry it behind the net and conceded a corner.

The second half saw the Blasters step it up. Giannou's deflected effort was brilliantly stopped by Kamaljit after five minutes. Three minutes later, the East Bengal FC shot-stopper was at it again as he stopped Luna's close-range effort at his near post.

In the 72nd minute, the deadlock was finally broken when Harmanjot Khabra's exquisite long pass from his own half found Luna in the box. In order to get his foot on it and get it past the goalkeeper, the Uruguayan did so, giving his team a crucial advantage.

The Blasters doubled their lead eight minutes before the end of the game. Giannou was replaced by Ivan Kaliuzhnyi in the 79th minute, and shortly after coming in, Kaliuzhnyi scored his first goal.

From his own half, the Ukrainian attacked the East Bengal FC defence before calmly slotting the ball in the goal.

Prior to that score, East Bengal FC had opened the scoring with a stunning volley from Alex Lima in the 88th minute while going unmarked inside the box.

With an outstanding left-footed volley from 25 yards out, Kaliuzhnyi doubled his total and restored the Blasters' two-goal advantage.

When they face ATK Mohun Bagan on October 16, the Blasters will host another team from Kolkata. On October 12, the Red and Gold Brigade will travel back to their home for their match against FC Goa at Salt Lake Stadium.