ISL 2020-21: Roy Krishna’s 67th-minute goal secures win for ATK Mohun Bagan despite rusty start to season

HIGHLIGHTS
ATK Mohun Bagan start with a win in the 7th edition of the ISL
ATKMB captain and striker Roy Krishna scored a 67th-minute goal
Both teams looked rusty from the lack of a preseason
Fijian striker and ATK Mohun Bagan star Roy Krishna scored a goal, the first and only of the game, in the 67th minute of the game to secure a 1-0 win for the defending champions in the opener of ISL 2020-21 against the Kerala Blasters FC.
The opening game of the ISL 2020-21 competition between the Kerala Blasters and ATK Mohun Bagan, on Friday, took place at the GMC Bambolim Stadium in Goa. This game marked the start to the 7th edition of the Indian Super League, the biggest football league in India.
The competition between the hosts and the defending champions was a clear representation of rustiness in the camps due to the lack of preseason for the players amid the coronavirus-induced pandemic. ATK Mohun Bagan suffered their first big blow as midfielder Michael Soosairaj was stretchered off the field and Subhasish Bose came in as his substitute.
Soosairaj, in the 13th minute of the game, faced a clash with KBFC winger Prasanth Karuthadathkuni and hurt his right leg. However, no foul was conceded by the attacking midfielder.
Apart from that, the first half of the game barely had any major developments but KBFC were surely the better team as ATKMB constantly failed to nail the final passes. On the other hand, Kerala Blasters star footballer Sahal Abdul Samad was at the wrong end of things in the first half with his multiple conceded fouls.
It was actually the second-half that marked the rise of ATK Mohun Bagan in the game, as suddenly the momentum was clinched away from the Kerala Blasters. After a couple of missed chances, including a free kick taken by winger Edu Garcia, ATKMB finally managed to score the first goal of the game.