Kochi: The Indian Super League (ISL) journey for Kerala Blasters began on a disappointing note as they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

Despite holding the majority of possession and generating several scoring opportunities, Kerala Blasters found themselves unable to convert their chances into goals. The absence of their influential captain, Adrian Luna, who was sidelined due to illness, was keenly felt. This void in leadership and creativity particularly impacted the team’s forward line, which struggled to make a significant impact. Punjab FC, in contrast, made the most of their limited opportunities and clinched a hard-earned victory.

Mikel Stare, the new head coach for Kerala Blasters, had been optimistic about kicking off his tenure with a strong performance. However, the match highlighted some glaring issues within the team. The Blasters displayed a lack of creativity in their midfield, which stifled their offensive efforts. Additionally, the forward line, including key player Kwame Pepra, failed to find their rhythm, and the team’s 10 shots on goal did not translate into the desired outcome.

The turning point of the match came in the second half when Punjab FC broke the deadlock with a penalty goal. Luca Massen successfully converted from the spot after Mohammad Saheef’s foul on Leon August inside the penalty area. Although Kerala Blasters managed to level the score with a goal from Jesus Jimenez during injury time, their celebrations were short-lived. In a dramatic finish, Philip Mirslak netted the decisive goal for Punjab FC in the closing moments of the match.

Kerala Blasters are now focusing on bouncing back from this initial setback as they prepare to face East Bengal in their next fixture on Sunday. The team will need to address their creative deficiencies and improve their finishing if they hope to secure their first win of the season.