Kerala Blasters kicked off the 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) season with a come from behind win over Atletico de Kolkata at Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
One of the game's talking points was the electric atmosphere inside the stadium with Kerala Blasters' vocal fan group Manjappada forming a yellow wall around the ground.
Unfurling a banner which read "Rise like a phoenix", the fans set the tone for Kerala's performance on the pitch.
And Rise like a Phoenix, they did!
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 20, 2019
What a performance from @KeralaBlasters and what a display of #TrueLove from their fans! #KERKOL #HeroISL #LetsFootball #HeroISLOpening pic.twitter.com/tGEaLFHIkK
One of the congratulatory messages on Twitter read: “I don’t know whether @KeralaBlasters will go all the way in @IndSuperLeague. But I’m 100% certain that Kerala’s football fans are among the best in the world. I would rate them as high as Brazil’s. I have nothing but love for Kerala’s football passion.”
I don't know whether @KeralaBlasters will go all the way in @IndSuperLeague. But I'm 100% certain that Kerala's football fans are among the best in the world. I would rate them as high as Brazil's. I have nothing but for Kerala's football passion. @ESchattorie @kbfc_manjappada pic.twitter.com/dMxLJEKqyG
— T.N. Raghu (@tnrags) October 20, 2019
Acknowledging the support of the fans, Kerala Blasters player Lauratthara wrote, “Great show by the boys today! And what an atmosphere here at Kochi! Thanks to all the fans for turning out in large numbers, your support means a lot to the whole @KeralaBlasters.”
Great show by the boys today! And what an atmosphere here at Kochi! Thanks to all the fans for turning out in large numbers, your support means a lot to the whole @KeralaBlasters ! @kbfc_manjappada #YennumYellow #KERKOL pic.twitter.com/mQANI5Y2f2
— Lalruatthara (@Ruatthara39) October 20, 2019
Before the match began, the ground was bathed in a sea of yellow with fans turning out in numbers to support the home team.
The @KeralaBlasters' famous 12th man is ready to show their #TrueLove
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 20, 2019
The #HeroISL 2019-20 is all set to be underway in front of a great yellow wall!
#LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/asiuThCsUp
Some sights you never get bored off!! Great to be back in Kochi @KeralaBlasters @IndSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/vl3pZUAhIX
— Varun Tripuraneni (@tvaroon) October 20, 2019
The Sea of Yellow making their presence felt tonight!#KERKOL #YennumYellow pic.twitter.com/wjsdnvHxsx
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) October 20, 2019
While two-time champions ATK scored their 100th goal in the Indian Super League (ISL), it wasn't enough to see them through in the opening match of ISL Season 6, as hosts Kerala Blasters rallied to script a 2-1 victory.
Carl McHugh had put ATK ahead with an absolute stunner in the sixth minute but the hosts, egged on by a vociferous crowd, hit back with two goals from new signing Bartholomew Ogbeche in the first half itself.
This is the second time that Kerala beat ATK in the ISL opener after having won 2-0 in Kolkata last season.
The game got off to an electrifying start with the visitors stunning the packed crowd early into the game. A free-kick was cushioned back for McHugh by Agustin Garcia Iniguez at the far post. The Irishman went on to slam a brilliant first-time volley with his left foot which gave Bilal Khan in the Kerala goal no chance whatsoever.
With the wind in their sails from an early goal, ATK continued to press Kerala relentlessly and fashioned several chances to double their lead, but couldn't finish them off.
A rattled Kerala were handed a lifeline when ATK winger Michael Soosairaj went down inside the box following a challenge by Sergio Cidoncha, but the referee waved away the protests and Kerala won a corner from the ensuing counter-attack, which produced the equaliser.
Ogbeche saw his looping header from the far post come back off the upright, only for Pronay Halder to pull down Jairo Rodriguez who was about to slot it in. The referee awarded the spot-kick and Ogbeche made no mistake in beating Arindam Bhattacharja to lift the spirits of the home supporters.
The Men in Yellow started to enjoy more time on the ball following the equaliser and stormed into the lead just before half-time. Pronay failed to clear a low cross from Prasanth Karuthadathkuni and the loose ball was driven in smartly by a lurking Ogbeche.
Kerala continued their ascendancy in the second half as well, but failed to add to their tally.
With IANS inputs