ISL-3: NorthEast beat Kerala 1-0 in opener

Guwahati, October 1

NorthEast United FC beat Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 in front of 27,629 fans to kick-start the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday. 

Katsumi Yusa proved to be the difference between the two sides as the Japanese midfielder scored in the 55th minute in a brilliant performance from the home team.

After a slow start to the game, NorthEast United FC began taking control of the match near the 10-minute mark as they started to see more of the ball. The Highlanders dominated possession but failed to threaten Graham Stack in Kerala Blasters’ goal during the opening exchanges.

The home side took the lead in the second period after a brilliant low cross by Nicolas Velez from the left found Yusa in acres of space at the far post for an easy tap-in to mark his ISL debut in style. — Agencies