Both Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos were unbeaten as they entered Matchday 20 at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium. A late winner from Iain Hume ensured that the home supporters went home happy. Kolkata were down to ten men in the final stages of the match when Sereno fouled Delhi’s Gadze in the box and gave a penalty away.
Marcelinho missed his chance to take advantage over their opposition and within seconds, Kolkata had their own spot kick thanks to a foul on Sameehg Doutie. Hume didn’t miss his chance to score as he sent Dynamos keeper Doblas the other way. With one man less on the pitch, ATK held on to their lead from the 78th minute and won only their second game of the season.
Here are the five talking points from the match:
#1 Sameehg Doutie caused trouble for Delhi’s defenders
Hume may have been awarded the ‘Hero of the Match’ for his goal and became the all-time highest scorer in the ISL with 18 goals, but it was the South African winger Sameehg Doutie who was the star of ATK’s team.
The 27-year-old was creating all sorts of trouble for the Dynamos defenders along the right flank, creating more than a couple of goal scoring opportunities.
His speed and movement troubled Delhi and Kolkata should concentrate on utilising him more effectively in their attacks. He provided a great cross to Belencoso which was headed marginally wide of the goal. He also provided a great pass to Hume, who was standing just outside the Delhi box but sent his shot flying wide.
Hume missed his chance to score from another great cross from Doutie. However, the winger finally made a definitive contribution to his team when he was awarded a penalty after his team were a man down.
#2 Delhi Dynamos didn’t bring their scoring boots
Zambrotta’s men were the superior side for most of the game but failed to capitalise on their chances throughout the night; the worst miss being Marcelinho’s failed attempt at a spot kick after ATK’s Sereno fouled in the penalty and was sent off for a second yellow card.
While ATK’s attack lost steam in the final third, especially with an ineffective forward like Belencoso today, Delhi’s attacking was more convincing.
They had the lion’s share of shots on goal, the first two of the night coming from the Brazilian Marcelinho. Florent Malouda, Marcos Tebar and Gadze all had good chances to put their team ahead but it looked like it just wasn’t their day. They couldn’t even manage a draw after Sereno had been sent off!
#3 Kolkata’s real hero – Debjit Majumdar
Debjit Majumdar had a cracker of a game in front of his home supporters. Doutie may have been awarded the penalty and Hume may have scored, but it was Debjit who kept his team in the game till the very end, with important contributions from his defenders too.
The keeper made outstanding saves throughout the night, not least of them the superhuman triple save in the first half, saving three consecutive shots on goal from Tebar, Gadze and Malouda – a truly exciting moment in the match. His goal kicks may be awry, but his shot-stopping abilities were on the mark every single time.
#4 Delhi Dynamos’ first loss
Ahead of the 20th game of this year’s ISL, ATK and the Dynamos were the only two unbeaten sides in the tournament, thanks to a series of draws than any definitive victories. A win and three draws for both sides meant they were on equal points, but the night’s results changed all that with Kolkata remaining the only undefeated side this year.
After yet another narrow one-goal victory, ATK moved up to 2nd place, a point behind leaders Northeast United with nine points.
Delhi’s inability to capitalise on great chances meant that they stayed on the same points and in fifth place on the table. With a single point's difference between each of the teams in the table, it’s anyone guess what this result means, with more than half the tournament left to play.
#5 ATK need another forward
Iain Hume is a proven goalscorer and has played well so far this season, but found it difficult to score. The Canadian looks tired having played practically every game for his side.
Considering ATK’s goal drought this season, they could have used another quality striker in their side. Kolkata’s marquee player, Helder Postiga, is out injured again this year, while Belencoso missed several chances tonight.
Kolkata has looked good defensively but has suffered in the final third of the pitch. A reliable striker would have solved such a problem. Kolkata supporters will be hoping good money is spent on acquiring a fit and goalscoring forward next time around.
