The Indian Super League no doubt started with a bang, with the who’s who of Indian entertainment present and involved on the opening ceremony, but the first half in itself was a dampener to the incredible energy of the fans at Guwahati. Kerala Blasters manager Steve Coppell started the season with a shiny surprise of his own, three at the back.
But, NorthEast didn’t look flustered at all, dominating the first half figuratively and territorially. Second half, Kerala started the better side but were caught on the break by Nico Velez and Katsumi Yusa, which proved to be the winning goal.
#1 Mehtab Hossain needs to pull up his socks
Mehtab Hossain was once considered the best midfielder in India, but since then a lot of (younger) players like Pronay Halder and Eugeneson Lyngdoh have taken over, this match showed exactly why. Despite being so talented on the ball, he is desperately inconsistent.
He has his very own party trick of pinging the ball wide, which works exactly once in five times. Steve Coppell would have surely recognised the experience and talent he has, but if his performances are of the standard it was today, boy oh boy, he has a fight on his hands to keep his place.
Also, he has the infuriating tendency to jump into every challenge, no matter where he is on the pitch. NorthEast might not have made the best of the opportunities they were presented (that too at the edge of the box), but on another day, things could have been different.
#2 Katsumi Yusa holds his own among the big boys
Katsumi Yusa was hands down the best player on the pitch. He showed every bit of quality he has in his game. Mohun Bagan supporters might complain about his inconsistency, but on his day, Yusa as good as anyone playing in the ISL.
Sharp on the turn, industrious, hard working and a match winner, he is as much a manger’s delight as Belgium Chocolate is to any living creature. He provided just what the NorthEast side needed alongside the pace of Nico Velez and Holicharan Narzary (to whom we will get to later).
Nelo Vingada also showed his class and his understanding of the game as a coach, he opted for the Japanese instead of their marquee player Didier Zokora. This certainly shows that having a big name alone, will not get the job done under him.
#3 Three at the back is Steve Coppell’s only option
It might have come as a surprise to most as the teams were announced, but in hindsight, Steve Coppell had almost no option but to play with a back 3 (or a back five). Kerala Blasters are definitely a very physical side, and probably their best three players are central defenders.
For most of the game, the tactic worked too, with the back three of Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart and Sandesh Jhingan keeping the NorthEast crowd quiet, and their forwards quieter. But, as the match continued, the humidity got to the two and they struggled with the pace of Nico Velez.
The back three with the experience and talent should have undoubtedly done much more for the goal, but the signs are good and is probably their biggest positive from the game.
#4 Drinks break is a must if the ISL is to become more aesthetic
It is the beginning of October and it is HOT. Global warming has undoubtedly changed the weather, and it is highly likely that most of the games this season will be played in very humid conditions.
Indians are undoubtedly a very football wise country. Hence, with the exposure Indians have to European football, the game would not have appealed to most eyes. If the ISL is to be more aesthetic, the drinks break need to be brought in.
Given that this was just Guwahati, and there is Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Kerala conditions to come, the authorities need to take initiative and ring in the changes. IPL has like four stoppages in a game of cricket. CRICKET. Why can’t football then?
#5 ISL is a huge opportunity for Indian youngsters to kick-start their careers
The likes of Sandesh and Jeje have kick started their careers thanks to ISL and gone on to be a fixture in the Indian National Team. Holicharan Narzary showed exactly why. ISL is a huge stage, and with batter managers and better players around, home-grown players tend to raise the game.
Throughout the game, his influence was positive. Starting on the right, as opposed to the much familiar left wing position he plays in the I-League or for the Indian National Team, he showed, in glimpses, his mercurial talent. In what was probably the play of the day, he took a long ball down past a defender (with his first touch), and crossed invitingly across the six-yard box, all with his weaker right foot.
Vinit Rai might not have had the best of debuts, but he too, in glimpses showed exactly what he is about. This country doesn't lack the talent, what it does lack, is the ability to harness the talent.
Here's hoping the ISL does a world of good.
