ATK Mohun Bagan made a strong statement of intent, blowing away Kerala Blasters 4-2 in the ISL-8 opener on Friday and showing their potency of being in the championship mix again.
The demolition job at Fatorda's Nehru Stadium by last season's runners-up might have started with a debatable goal, but its end was as magnificent and sparkling as the beaches in Goa.
Hugo Boumous - one of the architects of Mumbai City FC's march to the title last season - proved his worth in ATK Bagan colours, scoring a brace (3rd and 39th minutes) minute. A 27th-minute penalty from Roy Krishna and a second-half gem from Liston Colaco embellished a pretty convincing victory for Antonio Lopez Habas' team.
Although Kerala Blasters tried to make it a contest by scoring through Sahal Samad (24th minute) and Pereyra Diaz (69th), they were left chasing the shadow for most part of the game.
Starting with Finland international Joni Kauko and Boumous in the midfield, Habas gave ATK Bagan a platform to dominate the proceedings in a template likely to be used in future games as well. Kauko's height and prowess in the air and Boumous' penetrative passes and curling crosses caused panic in the Kerala box. When the duo left the field in the 78th minute, victory looked assured.
The game got off to a rollicking start with Boumous proving his credential as the vital cog in the team's wheel. The opening goal, though, was tinged with a bit of controversy.
As he swung the intended cross into the Kerala box, Krishna - apparently standing on an offside position - tried to turn it on towards the goal. The referee, however, didn't view it as a case of interference with active play as goalkeeper Albino Gomes, rooted to his line, could only watch the ball settle into the far post.
Stung by the early reversal, Kerala Blasters regrouped and duly found the equalizer in the 24th minute. Set up brilliantly by Rahul KP, Sahal chested it down with his first touch and drove home with his second.
However, Kerala's semblance of a fightback was short-lived as their defensive woes continued allowing ATK Bagan to restore the lead within three minutes. Boumous might have pipped Krishna to the honour of scoring the opening goal of a new season of ISL, but the Fijian could not be denied for long. This time, he forced a foul from the Albino from a one-on-one situation, leading to the penalty and stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
Three goals before the opening half an hour set the stage afire for an end-to-end action and when Boumous slotted the ball in through Albino's legs from a tight angle in the 39th minute, ATK Bagan looked well on course for a demolition job.
Liston, who had a brilliant game scorching the rivals with his searing pace down the flank, joined the party with a stunner soon after the break. Receiving the ball from Krishna just outside the box, Liston curled it into the far post, away from the outstretched hands of Albino.
Diaz made it 2-4 in the 69th minute but ATK Bagan never looked in trouble in earning their spurs in the tournament opener.
