Atletico de Kolkata
Debjit Majumder (8/10)
Majumdar is certainly etching his name as one of the best if not the best goalkeeper in the ISL this season. The Mohun Bagan man, who got his first national call-up earlier this year, again showed why it was a smart decision by the Atletico hierarchy to rope him in this season.
Pritam Kotal (8.5/10)
Kotal had been dropped after a string of under par performances. However, on his return to duty, the Indian international showed why he is considered one of the best right-backs in the country alongside Rino Anto. Kotal was not only resolute in his defensive duties but was also able to able to lend a different dimension to Atletico in their attack. His overlapping runs were a joy to watch and his pinpoint cross eventually resulted in the opener.
Arnab Mondal (6.5/10)
A resolute performance from Mondal at the back as he showed he might just be Atletico’s best bet at the Centre back position.
Henrique Sereno (6.5/10)
Solid in some phases. Iffy in others. The Portuguese always seems to have an error in him every game. However, in this game it his absence that hurt Atletico eventually as he had to be hauled off with an injury in the 53rd minute.
Keegan Pereira (6/10)
Didn’t have the best of games in his first start since joining Atletico after his AFC Cup campaign with Bengaluru FC. While Kotal provided magnificent width on the right, Perreira failed to replicate that on the left. Defensively found napping on a couple of occasions as Mehrajuddin Wadoo commanded that side of the field for the majority of the second half.
Stephen Pearson (5.5/10)
Was an absolute treat to watch in the first half as his clever movement and passing helped Kolkata grab an advantage over the defending champions. However, his horror show of strength in the second half led to the Chennaiyin equaliser.
Borja Fernandes (6.5/10)
With the wings working early on Borja didn’t have to play his Hollywood balls and instead looked to play intricate passes and spread the play around. However, as Kolkata went five at the back in the second half, he looked overworked and at times overwhelmed.
Javi Lara (6/10)
There was a lot to like about the Spaniard’s game in terms of deft touches and skills. However, when it came to delivering in dangerous situations, he failed.
Helder Postiga (7/10)
Got the opener with a well-placed header. However, in earnest, that should have been his second. Missed a glorious opportunity early on as a Lalrindika Ralte cross found him unmarked in the box only for the marquee star’s header to go crashing onto the upright and out.
Lalrindika Ralte (7/10)
Produced a couple of scintillating crosses in the opening minutes only to see both of them being wasted. After failing to pose much of a threat for the rest of the first half, the East Bengal man was substituted at half-time.
Juan Belencoso (6/10)
The man from Portugal is a hard worker but lacks the killer instinct in front of goal. And that again showed today.
Substitutes
Bidyanand Singh (5.5/10)
Failed to provide much down the left after coming on at half-time. It was also surprising that being a natural defensive midfielder; he failed to track the runs of Mehrajuddin Wadoo.
KInshuk Debnath (6/10)
Debnath's introduction was a unusual substitution as Molina didn’t seem too confident on him even before he had any meaningful contribution to the game. The Spaniard soon brought on Oftense Nato to reinforce at the back.
Ofentse Nato (6/10)
The defensive midfielder was slotted in at defence as the man from Botswana replaced Helder Postiga as Jose Molina tried to shut up shop. However, he was helpless when Succi directed the ball into the back of the net on the 78-minute mark.
