Helder Postiga and Sameehg Doutie shined for Kolkata while Chennaiyin FC had luck on their side as both sides played a thrilling draw at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata. Doutie who was a livewire throughout the night opened the scoring for the home side. Chennai overturned the deficit with two lucky goals courtesy Mulder and Jayesh Rane. But a rash tackle from subsitute, Jerry in the dying moments gifted Hume a penalty who coolly converted from the spot to make it 2-2.
Atletico de Kolkata
Debjit Majumder – 5/10
Didn’t have any clear cut saves to make. Was extremely unlucky with both the goals that his side conceded. Couldn’t have done much with either of them.
Pritam Kotal – 4/10
The right back could have contributed much more in the match. He sat back and looked nervous on certain occasions. With Chennai playing narrow, he wasn’t tested. But he failed aid his fellow wingers in attack.
Arnab Mondal – 5/10
Did well to support Tiri in defence. At times he did look uncomfortable in possession. Apart from the rare lapse in concentration, he put in a professional performance.
Tiri – 6/10
Defended well. Wasn’t really tested but did make some important tackles inside the box. His partnership with Robert was on point and was largely successful in keeping Jeje and Succi quiet.
Robert Lalthlamuana – 4/10
Was caught napping in defence in the first half. He found himself far too forward and gave Chennai’s forwards ample chances to play across his shoulder. Improved his performance in the second half and was much more disciplined.
Javi Lara – 6/10
One of the more impactful players for Kolkata. Whipped in pinpoint crosses on various occasions to put the Chennaiyin defence in a frenzy. Played as an inverted winger on the left wing. One of his free kicks caught the Chennai keeper off guard who had to tip the shot over the cross bar.
Borja Fernandez – 6/10
Exuded poise and confidence at the heart of the midfield. He controlled the centre circle without really forcing himself. Released his teammates with some well-timed passes and was happy to sit back as well.
Bikramjit Singh – 5/10
Found it hard to keep up with the pace of the game. Made some rash tackles and couldn’t involve himself in the game as much as he would have liked.
Sameehg Doutie – 8/10
Was always on the move. He was a constant menace at the right flank. A large proportion of Atletico’s attack stemmed from his side. Displayed some excellent touches to move out of congested areas. At least one of his numerous crosses from the right should have led to a goal. Was duly rewarded with a goal in the second half, calmly placing the ball across the keeper.
Iain Hume – 6/10
Couldn’t really impose himself on the match. Played just behind Postiga but rarely combined with him effectively. He was largely an isolated figure at the front as the Chennai defence did well to nullify his impact on the pitch. Put in an improved performance in the second half with some lovely through balls. Scored from a penalty to level things up.
Helder Postiga – 7/10
His team’s playing system suited him very well. Had a glorious opportunity to score a goal in the first half but for Mendy’s last ditch block. Tracked back to help his team in defence on a couple of occasions. Was a central figure in his sides attacking build up. Set up Doutie for the goal with an immaculate defence-splitting aerial pass.
Substitutes
Lalrindika Ralte – 3/10
Came on as a substitute for Postiga to bolster up the midfield. He looked comfortable despite being thrust into a high tempo game.
Prabir Das – 3/10
Entered the game as a substitute to add fresh legs. Kept things professional and kept things quiet at the back.
Belencoso – N/A
Came on in the 73rd minute.
Chennaiyin FC
Dwayne Kerr – 6/10
Was rarely tested by Atletico expect when they scored. At times when he was asked questions, he reacted sharply to keep the opposition at bay. Some of his goal kicks were poor and could have proved costly.
Mehrajuddin Wadoo – 6/10
Was compact down the right flank which meant Kolkata had to target the opposite flank. Didn’t really pose much of an attacking threat. Played the role of an old school full back and held his position well. Adopted a no nonsense approach and cleared the ball rather than holding up play.
Bernard Mendy – 6/10
Made up for Riise’s lacklustre performance with some confident defending. Battled Postiga throughout the match and made a tremendous block to deny the Portuguese, a sure shot goal. Lead the defence well but his teammates let him down.
John Arne Riise – 5/10
Started the game well. Was unlucky not to score. His stinging free kick rebounded off the wall and hit the cross bar. Defensively, he was all over the place. Made a hash of a couple of easy clearances. Was guilty of a foul throw in as well. He gave away the ball cheaply on more than one occasion.
Nallapan Mohanraj – 6/10
Didn’t have too much trouble to deal with but kept it tight at the back. Tired out at the end and was substituted with around 15 minutes to go.
Hans Mulder – 7/10
Extremely solid in midfield. He controlled the middle of the park with poise. Made some fine passes to split open the Kolkata defence. Never static, he was persistent with his passing and helped his side transition from defence to attack. Scored the winner from long range after his shot was heavily deflected past the keeper.
Raphael Augusto 7/10
Was largely responsible for slowing down Atletico’s high tempo game. His hold up play was on point and always made himself available for a pass in the middle of the pitch. Won a large proportion of his 50-50 battles and provided that extra cushion to the back four.
Jayesh Rane – 6/10
Was silent throughout the match till his goal in the second half. He did well to round the keeper and place the ball at the back of the net. Was presented with just one chance on the night and he took it well. Failed to track back when his side were defending.
Baljit Sahni – 5/10
Was largely silent during the first half. Came to life in the second as he began to maraud forward the right flank. He combined well with Wadoo and Mulder but failed to make that final pass from the right. At times, he held the ball for a tad longer than required and was snuffed out of position as a result.
Jeje Lalpekhlua 6/10
Showed glimpses of how dangerous he can be. His well-placed shot coerced keeper Majumder into making a fine save in the first half. Had to fall all back deep to receive the ball on numerous occasions. His shot come pass set up Jayesh for the goal.
Substitutes
Davide Succi 4/10
Found it extremely difficult to impose himself on the match. He failed to combine with Jeje and Coach, Materazzi substituted him for Dudu with twenty minutes’ left.
Dudu – 2/10
Came on late as a substitute, with his side in the lead. As a result, he didn’t receive too many opportunities to make an impact. Had one glorious opportunity to further the lead but botched a sitter with only the keeper to beat.
Jerry Lalrinzuala – 1/10
Came on as a substitute and his only contribution of the match was conceding a penalty.
