Pele relishes ISL tie at Salt Lake Stadium

The result: Atletico de Kolkata 2 (Arata Izumi 6, Javi Lara 53) bt Kerala Blasters 1 (Chris Dagnall 80).

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. A minute before the goal, Pele almost got up from his chair in excitement when Jamie Gavilan Martinez’s shot came back off the horizontal.

Just after the half hour mark, former Arsenal man Sanchez Watt fancied his chance from oustide the box, but it was too easy for Kolkata goalkeeper Juan Calatayud to collect. Soon, Javi Lara won the possession in the midfield but overlooked Arata Izumi’s run on the left flank, and chose to have an effort from outside the box, which sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

With Pele, the world’s greatest footballer watching this clash, both teams hit the ground running but it were the hosts who took control of the game early. Blasters had to play the last few minutes with only ten players after Mehtab Hossain picked up his second booking of the night and was sent off. “I don’t think they slowed it down, I think they were better at a particular point in time”, revealed a clearly displeased Taylor, who felt Atletico were the second best team in the latter stages of each half.

Atletico made their first change in the 57th minute with Izumi coming off for Clifford Miranda.

It wasn’t until the 13th minute that Kerala Blasters created their first chance. Mehtab Hossain brought down Hume in a clumsy fashion and was booked for it.

Later on, another goal from the home side made it 2-0 and the match looked over for the visitors.

Despite losing Mehtab Hossain for a second yellow card, Kerala kept on mounting pressure to level the score.

Six points from two matches against Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United have seen David Platt’s side sit on top of the table with six points. Kolkata will next face Pune away from home while Kerala will travel to the national capital to face the Dynamos.