Atletico de Kolkata
Debjit Majumder: 6/10
The keeper had a quiet game under the bar. With no real attacking threat from the home team, Debjit looked comfortable behind the ATK defence. Looked composed at set-pieces and didn’t have much to do throughout the game.
Prabir Das: 7/10
Das had a good outing at left-back. Prabir was usually calm at the ball and was defensively astute. Playing against Mohammed Rafique, Prabir did not show a lot of the ball to the former ATK player. Linked well with Javi Lara and Iain Hume and kept the defensive shape of the team intact.
Tiri: 6/10
The ATK centre-back didn’t have to do much throughout the game. Made a critical interception in the dying minutes off Micheal Chopra’s deft chip. Had a commanding presence throughout.
Arnab Mondal: 7/10
With loads of experience, Arnab proved yet again how critical he is for the ATK defence. Made some no-nonsense clearances to keep the ball out of the box. Made some crunching tackles as well and covered the opposition strikers well.
Pritam Kotal: 7/10
The player kept Farukh Chaudhary silent for most of his time. Looked very confident and had a superb outing. Made some important blocks and played various key passes throughout the game. Pritam looks to be growing in confidence and can be India’s best right-back in the future.
Jewel Raja (83 mins): 6/10
The Indian national team midfielder had a good game altogether. Ended with a cramp and some feisty encounter with ‘Rocky’ Micheal Chopra, Jewel had a silent and composed game otherwise. Linking well with captain and midfield leader Borja Fernandez, Jewel kept the game ticking well. Tried to play a few attacking balls, but misplaced them.
Borja Fernandez: 7/10
The captain led from the front. Didn’t lose the ball and found the right man more often than not. Borja was the talismanic presence in the midfield. Played superb balls to the attacking troika of Doutie, Hume and Javi Lara. Also, broke up opposition play at a number of occasions.
Sameehg Doutie (78 mins): 8/10
The South-African winger tried his best to affect the game’s proceedings but failed initially. After the beginning of the second half, Doutie looked more effective and vicious and laid up some inviting crosses in the box, only to be poorly missed by his striker.
Javi Lara: 8/10
The creative spark and the man of the match, Javi Lara was easily the best player of the pitch. Starting at the Left Wing, Javi interchanged positions with Hume and played most of the match at the No. 10 position. Highly effective, Javi played a lot of key passes and scored the solitary goal. Javi looked to be in smooth touch and played in tow with Hume and Doutie.
Helder Postiga (19 mins): NR
Had no real presence on the field for the time he was there. Starting slow, Postiga played the No. 10 position with Hume upfront. Didn’t do anything note-worthy.
Iain Hume: 5/10
The hardworking Canadian had a silent game according to his lofty standards. Working very hard on the Left Wing, Hume looked frustrated at times during the second half. Combined well with Javi Lara and Pritam Kotal for most of the game. The striker would be looking to play a more central role in the future.
Substitutes:
Juan Belecoso: 4/10
Coming in for marquee player Helder Postiga, the Spaniard had a poor match. Missed two chances created by Javi and Doutie respectively in both the halves. Should have done more to fight for his place in the starting XI.
Didika Ralte: 3/10
Earned a poor yellow card. Coming on for Sameegh, Ralte also was involved in a late penalty appeal for the Kerala Blasters. His push on Belfort made the referee book the striker for simulation. Had no such contributions in attack.
Bikramjit Singh: NA
Not enough time to make an impact.
