Kerala Blasters FC began their Hero Super Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over RoundGlass Punjab FC. The Blasters created several chances in the first half but only scored once, with Dimitrios Diamantakos scoring from the penalty spot to give them a deserved half-time lead before Nishu Kumar made it 2-0 in the 54th minute. The opposition clawed one back in the 72nd minute through replacement Krishnananda Singh, but it was not enough as Yellow Army substitute Rahul KP put the game away in stoppage time to seal three points.
It had been an exciting start to the game that set the tone for the entire game. The Kochi-based team was involved in numerous attacking moves. Saurav Mandal made a daring run through the right channel in the 34th minute before laying it off for Sahal Abdul Samad, who failed to strike the target in a 1-on-1 position. Six minutes later, Mandal attempted to take advantage of the opponent’s defense when he was hauled down inside the penalty area and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Diamantakos made no mistake, slotting it into the left bottom corner to put the Blasters ahead!
The Tuskers started the second half in a similar manner, extending their lead ten minutes in. Danish Farooq played a pinpoint diagonal pass for Samad, but the midfielder mishandled it, allowing Nishu Kumar to take control of the loose ball and curl it into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. RoundGlass Punjab FC cut the deficit in the 72nd minute when Juan Mera showed amazing agility down the right wing before taking a shot that deflected and fell straight to Krishnananda Singh, who scored with a tremendous volley. Six minutes later, Mera took a blazing shot that hit the woodwork, and the side almost equalized.
In the dying minutes of the game, substitute Rahul KP made a dashing single run and finished with a controlled finish to make it 3-1 for the Blasters. Kerala Blasters FC returns to action on Wednesday when they face Sreenidi Deccan FC at the EMS Stadium.
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