Grande’s strike helps Atletico down Blasters

KOCHI: Former champions Atletico de Kolkata beat Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 to record their first victory in the Indian Super League this season at the Jawaharlal Nehru

Published on: Oct 6, 2016, 07:13:12 IST

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KOCHI: Former champions Atletico de Kolkata beat Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 to record their first victory in the Indian Super League this season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday.

Javier Lara Grande scored the all-important goal for Atletico in the 53rd minute to give the visitors full points. ATK had played out a 2-2 draw against defending champions Chenniyin FC in their opening match in Kolkata.

Blasters were disjointed in their opening match against NorthEast United FC — which they lost 0-1 — as a result of which manager Steve Coppell made six changes to his side against Atletico.

The former Manchester United winger handed starts to Ouzin Ndoye, Pratik Chaudhary, Mohammad Rafique, Josue Prieto, Farukh Choudhary and Duckens Nazon.

The new-look side took time to get into the groove and instead it were the visitors who dominated the proceedings at the start.

But it took Atletico until second half to break the deadlock. Grande was the most influential of Atletico players — causing problem for Kerala defence throughout — and he finally got the goal he deserved in the second half. Grande picked up a pass from Belencoso, shot from just outside the box and it found the back of the net after taking a deflection of Sandesh Jhingan’s legs.

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