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In the opener of the third edition of the Indian Super League, Katsumi Yusa of Japan scored the all important second half match winner for NorthEast United FC over the Kerala Blasters FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Guwahati.
After an opening ceremony featuring Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt, Jacqueline Fernandes and Varun Dhawan, the action moved to the football as ISL-3 kicked off with the hosts the better of the two sides though both NorthEast United FC and Kerala Blasters FC took a safety first approach.
The winner for NorthEast United FC came from two of their most active players, when Argentinian Nicolas Velez crossed the ball across the goalmouth with Katsumi Yusa only having to push the ball over the goal line to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.
After going behind the Kerala Blasters had their chances to equalise with India defender Sandesh Jhingan having one of the best of them as his shot was deflected off keeper Subrata Pal onto the post and out for a corner.
In the end it stayed 1-0 for NorthEast United FC, who will hope that this win is only a start to get them into their first ISL semifinals, while the Blasters hope to have a better campaign that last year, where they had finished last.
Match awards
Club Award – NorthEast United FC
SWIFTMoment of the Match – Graham Stack (Kerala Blasters FC)
Amul Fittest Player of the Match – Cedric Hengbart (Kerala Blasters FC)
DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Nicolas Velez (NorthEast United FC)
ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Holicharan Narzary (NorthEast United FC)
Hero of the Match – Katsumi Yusa (NorthEast United FC)
