ISL 2017, Match 7: Kerala Blasters vs Jamshedpur FC, talking points

Dimitar Berbatov had a lot more influence on the game. (Photo: ISL)
Dimitar Berbatov had a lot more influence on the game. (Photo: ISL)

#3 Berba and Mehtab go at it

Berbatov was closely marked by Mehtab today. (Photo: ISL)
Berbatov was closely marked by Mehtab today. (Photo: ISL)

Mehtab Hossain is Steve Coppell's enforcer-in-chief nuisance artist. That was his role with the Blasters previously and it's the same this year for his new side Jamshedpur. It was expected that he was going to get the assignment of marking the talented Berbatov. It looked like he'd been given the brief of sticking with Berbatov throughout, making things difficult for the Bulgarian.

Mehtab though was all over the Bulgarian at times, kicking him in the shin, snapping away at his ankles and even jumping onto him at times. But he couldn't shake Berbatov as he managed to keep possession for much of the game despite Mehtab's best efforts. At one point, with Mehtab kicking him quite a few times, Berbatov even taunted him to have another go, all the while keeping the ball beautifully.

It was a classic game-within-a-game to watch the two go at it. Mehtab was eventually booked in the 56th minute for one foul too many. Berbatov took picked up a yellow later, for shoving aside Mehtab. So this contest ended even too like the scoreline.

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