Koldo Obieta's Late Header Gives Kerala Blasters Winning Start

Image Credit: All India Football Federation

Kerala Blasters FC began their AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over 10-man Rajasthan United FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim. A late header from new signing Koldo Obieta in the 87' sealed the points in a tense Group D encounter.

Rajasthan started with surprising confidence despite being the heavy underdogs against the ISL side. Ghanaian midfielder Ebenezer Amoh Kings came close in the ninth minute when his driven shot whistled past the post. Kerala took time to find their rhythm, relying heavily on Adrián Luna's set-piece delivery from the flank. Danish Farooq had a header from Luna's corner that grazed the crossbar in the 23', while Muhammed Saheef's header was cleared off the line by Gursimrat Singh Gill to keep the score goalless at halftime.

The match changed dramatically after the restart when Rajasthan were reduced to ten men. Gill, who had made a great clearance to keep it level, was shown a straight red card for bringing down Nihal Sudheesh, who was clean through on goal. The dismissal forced the Desert Warriors to sit deep and defend in numbers for the remainder of the match. Despite the advantage, Kerala struggled to convert their dominance into goals. Rajasthan goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri stood firm between the posts, while striker Robinson Blandón kept the Blasters' backline on edge with his rare counterattacking opportunities. In the 70', Naoba Meitei's low cross flashed across the face of goal, narrowly missing Blandón's outstretched boot. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 87'. Defender Juan Rodríguez surged down the right and sent in a teasing cross into the box. Koldo Obieta rose highest in the crowded area and met it perfectly with a thumping header that flew past Malla into the far corner to score his debut goal for the Blasters. Rajasthan almost grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time, forcing goalkeeper Nora Fernandes into a reflex save, that secured Kerala Blasters's opening victory of the tournament.