ISL 2020: KBFC 0-1 ATK MB; a great debut performance by Mariners

Disappointing start for Kerala Blasters after ATK Mohun Bagan, on their Indian Super League debut in the 2020-21 season; as the Mariners took the lead in the second half the match which took place at GMC Stadium, Bambolim. In the club's first-ever ISL match, Roy Krishna's 67th-minute strike ensured the three points for Antonio Lopez Habas' side.

The Blasters midfielder, Sahal, was unable to maintain his shot from a close range on goal. The 67th minute was when the Fijian forward, Roy Krishna scored the season's first goal from Manvir Singh's cross. Two defending Blasters could clear the ball, but their unconvincing effort allowed the Bagan to score forward.

After losing the goal in the final 20 minutes, the home side pressed hard to snatch an equalizer, but ATK Mohun Bagan's Sandesh Jhingan-led defence did not give them any room in their third attack.

"Fantastic game after no football for 8 months. Important 3 points and I am happy with it. No normal pre-season, and the team was fantastic to get the desired target today. We played good football and took chances. Now I want to go back and assess the injuries (Soosairaj). I am not thinking about East Bengal..." said Antonio Habas in the post-match presentation.

The Indian Super League 2020-21 marks the return of major league competition in India after the nationwide lockdown to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak was first imposed in March.

On November 27, the Mariners next face their arch-rivals, though a day before the Kolkata derby, Kerala Blasters take on NorthEast United.