Kolkata add to Kerala’s woes

Action from the Indian Super League match between Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata in Kochi on Tuesday. (Photo: SUNOJ NINAN MATHEW)

Second half substitute Arata Izumi returned from injury to strike a brace as Atletico de Kolkata stunned Kerala Blasters 3-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Tuesday.

The India international of Japanese descent had tears in his eyes on matchday eve when reminded of the brilliant start to his maiden ISL season with two goals in three matches before a four-match layoff.

All that was forgotten as he came in after the hour mark and scored on the 84th minute and late in injury time to give Atletico only their second win in six matches. Nallapan Mohanraj had scored the opener on 29 minutes.

Kerala remain rooted to the bottom of eight-team table despite a brilliant brace from Antonio German who replaced the injured Sanchez Watt on 36 minutes. The striker scored a penalty in the 42nd minutes and equalised a second time on 85th minutes.

Atletico played a pressing game and crosses flung in. Hume and Rafi missed and Rino blazed over a volley. Denzil Franco was penalised for handball, but Josu tamely struck the wall. Saumik made a mazy run but failed to connect.

Atletico took the lead in an unexpected manner, from an unlikely source. Mohanraj judged a Gavilan cross well and made a fool of Bywater as his low header hit target from close range.

At the other end, German nearly made a dream entry, but but dragged the ball wide after he chested down a cross from Dagnall.

But the striker was on the mark moments later. He buried a penalty, won by Josu, into the left corner. Franco had tripped Josu who raced to meet a through ball from Dagnall.

The Spaniard lacking confidence from his penalty miss against Chennaiyin and walked away, and German did the honours in front of 60,000 plus spectators.

Kerala kept a high line after the break and Mehtab was booked for a rash challenge on Gavilan. Nato failed to power his header on target and German’s brisk hit was denied by Amrinder at the near post.

Dagnall smacked a low drive inches wide from a Rafi pull back and Amrinder tipped wide a Mehtab in-swinging freekick.

Moments after Hume hit the post Izumi, who replaced Gavilan had the ground silenced . His intended cross fell in after skimming the left inside of the bar.

Kerala equalised through German the next minute as the striker had a blast at Amrinder’s near end. Pulga had danced into the area and crossed for Rafi but the rebound fell kindly for the goalscorer.