New striker on target as Kerala Blasters make winning start to delayed season

Kerala Blasters made a winning start to their season, edging Rajasthan United 1-0 in the Super Cup at the GMC Bambolim Stadium in Goa on Thursday. The solitary goal was scored by fresh recruit Koldo Obieta in the 87th minute, who rose the highest to head home a Juan Rodriguez cross.

Obieta, who was signed as a replacement for fellow Spaniard Jesus Jimenez, who had a record-breaking stint last season, also played a part in getting Rajasthan reduced to 10 men. His perfectly timed through ball for Nihal Sudheesh in the 51st minute required a tactical foul from Gursimrat Singh, earning the defender a straight red card.

Head Coach David Catala had named Obieta and Rodriguez, another fresh signing, in the starting XI. Adrian Luna captained the Blasters, and he hit the side netting from a free kick in the second half.

The Blasters, like most leading clubs in the country, had been without action due to the suspension of the Indian Super League. The Super Cup is seen as a timely preparation for the ISL season, which is expected to begin in December, three months past the scheduled start.

The Blasters had made a promising start with Obieta taking a shot in the 9th minute, but the best chance came in the 21st minute when Danish Farooq placed a free header from a Luna corner wide of the far post.

At the other end, Nora Fernandes made a save to deny Rajasthan. It happened two minutes before the sending off, following which the Blasters controlled the proceedings. However, Rajasthan almost found the breakthrough, but Robinson Rendon missed. The Blasters will next play SC Delhi on November 3.