Spanish striker Koke's opportunistic
first-half strike ensured a 1-0 win for
the NorthEast FC against Sachin
Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters
FC in the second match of the Hero
Indian Super League, here today.
The former Marseille frontman struck
at the stroke of the break in the 45th
minute with a snap angular right-
footer that beat former England
custodian David James, manning the
Blasters bar.
It was an Aibor Khongjee throw
inside the box towards David
Ngaihte, who rolled it towards the tip
of the box for the Koke. The 31-year-
old 'Man from Malaga' took a first
time shot to find the net.
NorthEast could have gone ahead in
the 33rd minute when a 30-yard pile-
driver from Durga Boro was brilliantly
saved by an airborne James. Boro
unleashed a lethal punch with his
outstep and James dived full stretch
to keep the home team at bay
despite the vociferous support from
the partisan capacity crowd at the
Indira Gandhi Stadium.
ISL: Youthful NorthEast United edge past Kerala Blasters in Guwahati