Edu Garcia stars with goal on debut as ATK-Blasters clash end in stalemate

Former Bengaluru FC midfielder Edu Garcia marked his return to ISL in style as his free-kick in the 85th minute gave ATK an unexpected lead, but a Matej Poplatnik goal just three minutes later saw the spoils shared.
Nelo Vingada rang in the changes in his first match in charge of the Blasters with Nikola Krcmarevic and Matej Poplatnik given starts. ATK coach Steve Coppell welcomed Kalu Uche back into the team after the Nigerian forward returned to full fitness while new recruits Pritam Kotal and Edu Garcia were also included in the starting XI.
Poplatnik threatened early for Kerala with his header going just wide of the post while Garcia made a lively start for Kolkata at the other end. It were the hosts who saw more of the ball in the opening quarter of an hour, but they were unable to create any clear-cut chances against the rival defence.
A quick Kerala breakaway at the half an hour mark saw Prasanth Karuthadathkuni cross the ball towards the danger area, but John Johnson was on hand to prevent Sahal Abdul Samad from getting a decisive touch. Poplatnik once again threatened with a header following a cross from Lalruatthara but goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya managed to palm the ball away for a corner.
The visitors nearly took the lead against the run of play towards the closing stages of the first period with Garcia unleashing a fierce shot towards the top-right corner of the Kerala goal. Thankfully for the hosts, Dheeraj Singh produced a magnificent fingertip save to deny the Spaniard.
Dheeraj was called into action early in the second half to stop Gerson Vieira’s attempt following a cross from Ricky Lallawmawma. The young custodian was kept busy with Garcia driving a low shot from distance into his arms moments later.
The hosts should have taken the lead at the hour mark with Slavisa Stojanovic finding himself unmarked in the box but the Serbian blasted his shot high and wide with the goal at his mercy. Minutes later, Poplatnik got plenty of power behind his shot from Prasanth’s layoff but Arindam pulled off an excellent save at the near post.
Kerala’s poor finishing would come back to bite them in the closing stages with ATK earning a free-kick in a dangerous area. Garcia stepped up to take the set-piece and his low shot sneaked under the ATK wall to beat Dheeraj.
The hosts equalized just minutes later with Poplatnik putting the ball into the net. Prasanth’s cross from the right was headed down by Poplatnik which took a touch off Vieira to beat the custodian.
Also Read: The impact of the Asian cup will be huge for Indian football, states Gurpreet Sandhu
Also Read: Kick the Taboo returns for season 2 but with a twist
Follow Football Counter on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
Mumbai Super League 2025-26: Tentative Group Draws are Out
The countdown to the much-awaited Mumbai Football Season 2025-26 has officially begun, following the announcement of the tentative group stage draw for the Mumbai Super League. A total of 46…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
India ease past Timor-Leste in AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers
The Indian senior women’s team continued their emphatic run in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a commanding 4-0 victory against Timor-Leste at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Crispin Chettri targets improved first-half performances as race to AFC Women’s Asian Cup heats up
Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers has almost turned into a two-horse race after Matchday 3 as India and Thailand are level on six points, with…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
India Dominates Iraq with a resounding 5-0 win in AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers
India delivered a dominant performance, securing a commanding 5-0 win against Iraq in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers Group B encounter. This impressive win marks India’s third consecutive triumph…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
The raw talent of Priyadharshini Selladurai: From paddy fields of Thiruvarur to Thailand
‘Raw talent’ is how coach Crispin Chettri defines Priyadharshini Selladurai, the Indian women’s national team’s newest goalscorer. As a loose ball landed right in front of her feet just inside…
Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Academy Division, SFL Oranje Academy, announces Trials for 2025-26 season across multiple age groups
Mumbai, Maharashtra – Maharashtra Oranje FC, a prominent name in Mumbai’s football circuit, is set to hold extensive trials for the upcoming 2025-26 season through its academy division, SFL Oranje…
SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…
SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….
South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore
South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…