In a stunning display of tactical football, Kerala Blasters FC secured a commanding 2-0 victory over defending champions East Bengal FC in the opening encounter of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025. The match, played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, April 20, 2025, saw the Blasters dominate proceedings with clinical finishing and disciplined defending.
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Early Exchanges: Cautious Start from Both Teams
The match began with both teams adopting a cautious approach. East Bengal, the defending champions who ended their 12-year trophy drought last season, looked to establish control in the midfield. Kerala Blasters, meanwhile, were sharp on the counter-attack, creating early opportunities.
Spanish striker Jesus Jimenez Nunez nearly put Kerala ahead in just the second minute of play, but hesitated at the crucial moment, allowing East Bengal’s defense to recover. The Red and Gold Brigade responded with their own attacking moves, with Venezuelan forward Richard Enrique Celis looking particularly dangerous in the early exchanges.
As the half progressed, both teams created half-chances without truly threatening either goalkeeper. East Bengal tried to utilize the wings, while Kerala Blasters looked to play through the middle, exploiting gaps in the opposition defense.
Penalty Drama: Jimenez Makes It Count on Second Attempt
The deadlock was finally broken in the 40th minute when Noah Wali Sadaoui was brought down inside the penalty area by East Bengal defender Anwar Ali. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, awarding Kerala Blasters a penalty. Jimenez stepped up but saw his initial effort saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken as Gill had moved off his line prematurely. Given a second opportunity, Jimenez made no mistake, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give Kerala Blasters a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Sadaoui’s Wonder Strike: A Goal to Remember
East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat made tactical adjustments at halftime, pushing his team forward in search of an equalizer. The Red and Gold Brigade showed more urgency in the early minutes of the second half, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized Kerala Blasters defense.
In the 64th minute, Kerala Blasters doubled their advantage with a goal of exceptional quality. American forward Noah Wali Sadaoui received the ball about 30 yards from goal, dribbled past two East Bengal defenders, and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike that flew into the top corner, leaving Gill with absolutely no chance.
The stunning goal effectively killed the contest, with East Bengal struggling to mount a meaningful response. Coach Cuadrat made several substitutions in an attempt to change the momentum, but the Kerala Blasters defense remained resolute.
Defensive Masterclass: Kerala’s Solid Backline
One of the most impressive aspects of Kerala Blasters’ performance was their defensive organization. The center-back pairing of Milos Drincic and Hormipam Ruivah was imperious throughout, dealing confidently with East Bengal’s attacking threats.
East Bengal did create a few half-chances in the closing stages. Naorem Mahesh Singh delivered several dangerous crosses from the left wing, but the Kerala Blasters defenders positioned themselves perfectly to intercept or clear the danger.
Goalkeeper Sachin Suresh also deserves credit for his performance, making two crucial saves when called upon and commanding his penalty area with authority. This defensive solidity provided the platform for Kerala’s attacking players to express themselves without fear.
Midfield Battle: How Kerala Won the Engine Room
The midfield battle was crucial to the outcome of this match, and it was an area where Kerala Blasters clearly had the upper hand. Danish Farooq controlled the tempo of the game with his intelligent passing and positioning, while Adrian Luna provided the creative spark.
For East Bengal, captain Harmanjot Khabra worked tirelessly in midfield, but the team ultimately lacked the cutting edge needed to break down a disciplined Kerala Blasters defense. East Bengal’s midfielders struggled to find space between the lines, often resorting to long balls that were comfortably dealt with by the Kerala backline.
Tournament Implications: What’s Next for Both Teams
With this victory, Kerala Blasters have taken a significant step toward qualifying for the knockout stages from Group A. They will face Mohun Bagan SG in their next match on April 26, a clash that could determine who advances to the semi-finals.
For East Bengal, this defeat leaves their title defense hanging by a thread. They will need to win their remaining group matches and hope for favorable results elsewhere if they are to have any chance of retaining their crown.
The Kalinga Super Cup 2025 features 16 teams divided into four groups of four, with the top team from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The tournament brings together clubs from both the Indian Super League and I-League, with the champions earning a place in the AFC Champions League 2 Preliminary Round.
For Kerala Blasters, this victory provides the perfect response after a disappointing ISL 2024-25 campaign in which they finished eighth. East Bengal, who ended ninth in the ISL, will need to regroup quickly if they are to salvage something from their Kalinga Super Cup campaign.
The match was streamed live on JioHotstar, with television coverage on Star Sports 3 set to begin from the quarter-final stage onwards. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more exciting encounters as India’s top clubs battle for supremacy in this prestigious competition.
FAQ:-
Which place is Kerala blasters?
Kochi
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi serves as the home ground to three-time Indian Super League Cup runners-up, Kerala Blasters FC. Perhaps one of the loudest stadiums in India, Kerala records capacity crowds for almost every home game, making for a stunning sea of yellow.
