If the first three games had provided sparklers for the ISL 2016, the tournament’s third season truly took off at Kochi tonight. An open game combined with a vociferous crowd of 65,000 odd made for a brilliant showing of both football and the passion the Indians have for the game.
However, the sea of yellow failed to propel their side to their first point as a 52nd-minute strike from Javi Lara was enough to seal the deal for Atletico de Kolkata, gifting Jose Molina his first win as coach of the Kolkata side since taking over at the start of the season.
Whilst the home side did make a roaring comeback in the late stages, the visitors held on to all three points, which now sees them going to the second spot on the table.
Here are the five biggest talking points of the game.
#1 Atletico wingers show their class
Whilst Javi Lara might have stolen the show with his goal, it has to be said that Sameehg Doutie is surely carving out his name as one of the most potent foreigners to have played in the ISL.
Lara had a more than decent game in the opener which saw him produce some top quality crosses from the dead ball situations. And today he carried on his outstanding form, eventually culminating in the winner. Whilst the goal will make the highlight reels, what might go unnoticed is how he took up the huge responsibility of filling in for the injured Helder Postiga and didn’t let the Kolkata side feel their marquee signing’s absence.
The Spaniard moved in from his usual position on the left and kept the ball ticking, playing a masterful role as the team’s number 10. He probably should have had an assist to his name as well if Belencoso had been on his toes.
On the other side of the field, Sameehg Doutie, who probably should have been the man of the match for Kolkata in their opener against Chennaiyin again showed his industrious nature and tenacious speed. The South African’s pace was always a worry for Steve Coppell's side and Kolkata went to the fleet-footed winger time and again to stretch the game.
He too should have had his second assist of the tournament after delivering an inch-perfect cross into the box in the 47th minute only to see it being glanced wide, again by Belencoso.
Atletico play a brand of football which sees the ball move forward quickly through intricate play and movement. If they are to threaten for the title this season, they need their wingers to deliver time and again. And so far they have.
#2 An unbalanced Kerala side might struggle again this season
After a fairytale start to the ISL in season one, Kerala struggled last season as a leaky defence saw them finish at the bottom of the table. Whilst last season’ worries of seepage of goals at the back might have been taken care of, they certainly lack quality in the middle this time around.
Coppell went for the jugular today, playing Antonio German next to Duckens Nazon up front. However, that left a big hole in the middle with Mehtab Hossain and Elhadjy Ndoye to marshall the midfield. Whilst neither of them are pushovers, they certainly lack the finesse and the touch to unlock defences.
With Faroukh Choudhary and Mohammed Rafique failing to provide much from the wide areas, their best bet was the maverick runs of their forwards.
Whilst German and Nazon did connect on a few occasions, it was never enough to give the Kolkata defence any jitters. In fact, even when the home side went for it all at the end, they had to resort to playing three strikers up front. However, even then, their best bet of scoring came from set pieces. If Kerala are to make any inroads after two defeats in two games, they certainly need to sort out this situation.
#3 Helder Postiga goes off injured. AGAIN!
Helder Postiga lasted a mere 72 minutes in his first season in the ISL last year before being stretchered off with a hamstring injury. In those minutes, the Portuguese striker had shown his class with two goals, which eventually helped Kolkata win their opener.
Many had doubts over his fitness levels when Atletico decided to trust him again as their marquee signing this season. A game and 18 minutes into this season, their fears were again realised as Postiga had to be taken off; this time for a knock to his rib – an injury whose extent is yet unknown
When on the pitch, Postiga has been a difference maker, but that time has only been for two matches over two seasons. And with his latest knock, many might question the Atletico management’s wisdom of bringing him back for another crack at ISL glory.
However, all things said, he has been a rare marquee signing, who has performed well in the ISL, albeit for only a couple of games. The forward seems to be at the centre of Molina’s scheme of play and Atletico’s play can be said to have another gear when he is available. The dip in quality from him to Belencoso was pretty evident today as the Spaniard missed a couple of gilt-edged opportunities.
If Kolkata have any aspirations of recapturing the title, they need Postiga back and soon.
#4 Antonio German needs help up front
In all the gloom and despair that has surrounded Kerala in the ISL in the last year or so, Antonio German has been that beacon of light that has kept the yellow army’s hopes alive. After scoring a handful last season, many had expected the Englishman to continue his goalscoring run this season as well. However, he, like his team so far, has come up empty handed although not for the lack of trying.
German tried hard with a rasping drive in the first half, a side-footed prod nearing half-time and then followed it up by an energetic yet skilful run into the opposition box late on. While his threat was ever-present, he failed to build up pressure with much consistency.
On the other hand, much was expected of Duckens Nazon when the Blasters grabbed the Haitian international. However, he too failed to link up with German. While both produced runs which threatened to unlock Molina’s backline, they failed to produce in the final third.
And even more so, they failed to have a connect. Blasters have come up blank in their first two games. But German is their best bet to break te duck and they need to help him out.
#5 Jose Molina making his presence felt
When Antonio Habas left for Pune at the end of last season, eyes were firmly on Atletico de Kolkata regarding where they will go next in terms of managerial appointment. When the Kolkata outfit announced the name of ex-Atletico Madrid and Spanish national team keeper Jose Molina as their new coach, the 46-year-old knew that he was stepping into some big shoes which needed filling.
Since coming into being two years back, ATK has been one of the most consistent franchises in the Indian Super League – winning the inaugural edition and exiting last year’s competition at the semi-finals stage.
Molina has tried hard to avert the past; especially in the press conferences and has been trying to build the team in his own image. And two games into the season, we can probably say that he has been able to do exactly that.
The build up seems more crisp, and the attacks more direct than what we have come to expect from Kolkata. The Spaniard had promised us aggressive football both with and without the ball and after 180 minutes of action, he seems to have firmly lived up to his word.
The 2014 champions have been a treat to watch going forward with swift ball movement accompanied by sumptuous play in both the wings as well as the middle of the field. The back five, which consists of four Indian names should also come in for praise. They are yet to concede a goal which can be labelled as a ‘defensive error’.
Molina came with an impressive CV having won the treble last year in Hong Kong with Kitchee and has truly made a mark in the initial stages. If injuries, stay out of the equation, it won’t be a surprise if Kolkata makes the last four this season around as well.
