(Football news) New signing Ivan Kaliuzhnyi scored twice after Adrian Luna opened the scoring at the Kochi national stadium as Kerala Blasters started the new Indian Super League campaign in style, beating Stephen Constantine's East Bengal 3-1 in the opening match on Friday. With the fans back in the stadium after a two year gap, they were treated to some sublime goals in the second half. The first half was a very cagey affair with both teams failing to break the deadlock.

The opening goal of the match came in the 72nd minute when Luna timed his run to perfection and latched onto an inch-perfect ball from Harmanjot Singh Khabra to beat Kamaljit in goal. The new Ukrainian midfielder Ivan doubled the lead in the 82nd minute with a stunning solo effort when he picked up the ball on the left side and made a brilliant run inside the box. He then shrugged off a couple of challenges, and came up with a sublime finish to make it 2-0 in favour of his team.

However against the run of play, East Bengal got a goal back when Alex Lima scored a scorching left-footed pile driver from a loose ball in the penalty box at the 87th minute mark.Two minutes later, Ivan put the icing on the cake when he added his second of the night with a brilliant 25-yard hit, there was much to the joy for the home fans and ensuring all three points for Ivan Vukomanovic's team. In the next match Bengaluru FC will take on NorthEast United FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

Also read: Will England feel Kyle Walker's absence if he misses the World Cup?