New signing Hugo Boumous starred on his debut as ATK Mohun Bagan defeated Kerala Blasters 4-2 in the opening game of the 2021-22 Indian Super League, at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Friday.
The Kolkata giants wasted no time in putting up a dominating display, sounding warning bells across the league at the outset.
Boumous (3 and 39th minute) and Liston Colaco (50th), bought for Rs 3.5 crore, paid instant dividends by scoring fine goals.
Roy Krishna (27th minute) was the other Bagan scorer, from the penalty spot.
Young enigma Sahal Abdul Samad thought he had restored parity to Bagan’s early goal in the 24th minute, but in vain.
Former FC Goa and Mumbai City FC star Boumous became the league's fastest scorer in an opening encounter, finding the net from outside the box within three minutes.
Bagan suddenly struggled to cope with the Blasters' retaliation. Rahul KP did well down the right flank, picking out an inch-perfect cross towards Sahal Samad just near the box, who drove in with aplomb.
That joy was short-lived as Roy Krishna won and converted a penalty just minutes later. Albino Gomes was nowhere close to the elite footballing brain of the Fiji-born forward.
The first half was sealed and delivered as Boumous capitalised on being left unmarked. He ventured out with precision, hit it across and through the keeper's legs to deliver a two-goal cushion.
Post the break, Liston Colaco curled in a delectable fourth goal with little help from Krishna, much to the delight of coach Antonio Lopez Habas
Jorge Diaz (69th minute) pulled a goal back out of nowhere for the Blasters as Mohun Bagan appeared a tad complacent.
