Before the game between Pune City and Atletico de Kolkata kicked off, the home side had scored only five goals so far and had failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 consecutive games. However, Pune looked a far more threatening side with their unique formation against a predictable Kolkata side. They had the edge over the visitors for most of the night and the final score is evidence of that.
Despite Kolkata’s good away record, Molina’s men had no sense of urgency even after they were trailing. They didn’t seem to realize they were behind until the final 15 minutes of the game by which time it was too late to do much against Pune who was happy to sit back and defend everything ATK threw at them.
After numerous bookings, especially for the visitors, and a penalty apiece, Pune moved out of last place in the ISL table with a 2-1 victory. Here’s how each of the players fared at the end of the 90 minutes:
Pune FC
Edel Bete – 6/10
With hardly much to do in the first half, Edel was finally called into action when his team conceded a penalty. Even though he kept Hume’s spot kick out, he couldn’t get in the way of his shot on the rebound. He wasn’t really tested by any of the ATK players and was lucky to get out of a few dangerous spots.
Melwyn Fernandes – 5/10
The defender did his part to block any attempts from the ATK players in his own half but he did allow Doutie a clear header soon after ATK had pulled one back in the first half.
Eduardo Ferreira – 8/10
While trying to win back the ball from Postiga near the touchline he went into a headed challenge that was absolutely unnecessary thereby injuring himself. He almost went off but scored from a corner soon after. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to carry on and went off soon after he scored.
Gouramangi Singh – 6/10
Gouramangi made a really important interception in the first half but picked up a yellow early in the game when he brought down Iain Hume with a bad tackle right outside his own box.
Lenny Rodrigues – 6/10
Lenny put in a decent display winning the ball back for his team on many occasions but was quite disappointing going forward. Too many of his passes were off their desired target and frankly, shameful.
Jonatan Lucca - 7/10
The Brazilian midfielder had a good game as he aimed a great shot that went just wide which had Debjit scrambling. Lucca delivered an especially impressive corner right near the six-yard point.
Mohamed Sissoko – 5.5/10
He made a nuisance of himself for the entire game but was unlucky to have a penalty awarded against him in a tugging match with Helder Postiga.
Rahul Shankar – 6/10
He made one important interception for Pune and was relatively competent at containing ATK’s lackluster attacks.
Narayan Das – 5.5/10
The defender looked out of his comfort zone as he was playing a little too far up the pitch than he would like to. Some of his deliveries were weak and did little to further his team’s cause.
Dramane Traore – 6.5/10
Traore was an ever-present figure in and around the ATK box, creating havoc for the defenders even though he played no part in either of his team’s goals. He was a crucial piece of the Pune machinery as they kept continuous pressure on the visitors.
Anibal Rodriguez – 8/10
The matchwinner of the night for Pune City was Anibal as he made the most of his team’s spot kick. His shot was so powerful that even though Debjit got a hand to it, the ball continued straight into the goal.
Substitutes
Tato – 5/10
Tato came on for Eduardo right before halftime. He caused a few moments of unrest for the ATK defenders, especially when turning in from the right flank.
Ndoye – NA
Ndoye came on for Anibal with five minutes left to play of regulation time and won a throw for his team in the final minutes of the game but otherwise was afforded little time to make an impact on the game.
Atletico de Kolkata
Debjit Majumder – 4/10
Debjit conceded as early as the first half when Eduardo’s header rocketed in above his head as his reaction came a split second too late. He conceded the second goal of the night as he was unable to stop Anibal’s spot kick despite getting a hand to it.
Pritam Kotal – 4.5/10
Pritam was unfortunate to have a penalty given against him for an entirely unintentional handball and was even booked for his offence. Overall, he had a disappointing night as supposed error cost his team the game.
Arnab Mondal – 5/10
Mondal did well to stem the flow of Pune’s attacks but failed to keep them out entirely. He was even booked for dissent after the referee awarded a penalty to ATK.
Sereno – 6/10
In a first half full of nervy moments, Sereno was booked for bringing down Lucca right outside the box. He made a few good clearances and was directly involved in keeping Pune out on a couple of occasions.
Robert – 5/10
The left-back took one for the team and even though he committed a foul in the line of duty, made an important tackle on Traore that stopped his threatening run short late into the second half.
Borja Fernandez – 6.5/10
Borja did well to make crucial clearances and blocks throughout the game but wasted a goalscoring opportunity during added time when Edel was out of position but sent his shot flying high above the goal.
Stephen Pearson – 4/10
The central midfielder had a disappointing night where his partner Borja had to pick up the slack for him for much of the night. He struggled to make his presence felt in the midfield area and was replaced by the more attack-minded Javi Lara halfway through the second-half.
Sameehg Doutie – 5.5/10
The South African’s runs that have a way of splitting the opposition's defence was still spot on but his final balls left much to be desired as it lacked any kind of precision. After working hard at moving the ball forward, Doutie wasted many an opportunity with lazy and inaccurate crosses and passes. He even had a chance at a clear header in front of goal but headed it wide of the mark.
Lalrindika Ralte – 4/10
Dika had a disappointing first half as he made absolute no progress into Pune’s half through their crowded backline and was replaced at the start of the second half.
Iain Hume – 6.5/10
Energetic and troublesome as always, Hume did his best to win the ball back in important positions. However, he must have felt the world crashing in around him as he saw Edel save his penalty but was quick to react and scored on the rebound giving Kolkata a fighting chance.
Helder Postiga – 6/10
A great long-range shot from Postiga in the first half that was just wide off the mark was probably one of his best moments of the match. However, he did win a penalty in the second half that allowed ATK to score after they had been trailing by two goals.
Substitutes
Bidyananda Singh – 6/10
Singh came on for Dika at the start of the second half. He did well to try and get on the end of a cross that was slightly over-hit by Postiga. The winger showed great energy on the flanks but ended the match with hardly anything to show for it.
Javi Lara – 5/10
Lara replaced central midfielder Stephen Pearson in the 70th minute to give ATK a slightly more attacking edge. He took charge of all the set pieces after his introduction but failed to make anything of them.
Belencoso – 4/10
The Spanish forward replaced the goalscorer Hume in the 76th minute.
