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The defending champions ATK kick-started their campaign with a 3-2 victory in Chennai today. The Chennaiyins will have to think about their defense as they committed several individual errors. A thrilling contest nonetheless.
Marquee player Helder Postiga socred a brace whereas substitute Valdo headed home the third goal for the Kolkata franchise team. Elano pulled one back for Chennaiyin FC after Jeje Lalpekhlua equalized for the team just before the half time break.
The absence of a full fit Mendoza and Bruno Pelissari from the Chennai starting line-up was prominent. Coach Marco Materazzi himself was absent from the touchline, serving his one match touchline ban carried over from last season’s semi-final.
Chennaiyin team dominated the first half whereas ATK managed to have the upper hand in the next half ensuring a nerve setting win for the defending champions.
Here are the player ratings from the match:
Atletico de Kolkata
Amrinder Singh- 6/10
The young keeper who was picked up by the ATK management during the auctions this year, played more than satisfactory today. He was well upto the mark; with a cool and calm head he provided a lot of assurance to the team under the bar. Although he was partly responsible for Chennaiyin’s first goal with his clear lack of judgment and positioning, he rectified himself throughout the rest of the match.
Arnab Mandal- 5/10
Last season’s find of the tournament, a lot was expected from him, especially when centre back Josemi was ruled out due to an injury. But the lanky national team stopper was poor throughout the match. He was partly responsible for Chennaiyin’s first goal when he left Jeje unmarked to slot home the equalizer in the first half of the match. Similarly he handled the ball inside the box gifting the Chennai side a penalty during the dying minutes of the match. Elano converted that ensuring a nervy finish for the Kolkata team.
Ofentse Nato- 6/10
Nato had to fill up the gap left in the defense due to the absence of the Spanish defender Josemi. He took on the central defensive role alongside Arnab Mandal today. He used all his experience efficiently to cover the defensive gaps. Marking Fikru, he closed down all the free spaces that Fikru had to exploit ensuring a stable defense for ATK.
Augustin Fernandes- 6/10
Augustin has been very consistent for the Salgaocar team and the FC Goa team in the defense last year. He played quite well today, covering the left hand side of the defense. He was spotted all across the defense scrambling to win the ball and covering his fellow defenders’ mistakes especially during the last 10 minutes of the match. But he was less active in overlapping and supporting the team’s attacking half which made the whole left side of ATK very dull throughout the game.
Rino Anto- 7/10
Anto was one of the stand out performers for the Kolkata side in the match. He was more than active, with endless runs across the right side which brought in more attacks for ATK. He was very stable while defending as well, covering the dangerous Fikru on number of occasions today. He surely can be a star of the season this year.
Borja Fernandez- 7.5/10
Borja was instrumental in the team’s ISL win last season. He continued from where he stopped last year. The experienced Spanish midfielder led the team efficiently, with a stern performance in the middle of the park. His ability to snatch and block the opponent’s free balls was exceptional. Although it seemed he was not that lively during the last moments of the match which might be a fitness concern.
Gavilan- 6.5/10
His free kick in the second half swerved and hit the woodwork or else he would have easily registered his name in the score sheet of today’s match. He was better defensively with Borja handling the attacking half more in the first half. When Borja slowed down during the second half, Gavilan became less effective as he tried going into the attacking half for the team.
Javi Lara- 7/10
He was brilliant in the second half. With soft touches and quick step overs he shook the whole Chennaiyin defense. His penalty was saved by Bete even though it was struck brilliantly.
Iain Hume- 6.5/10
The Canadian striker played in a withdrawal position right behind striker Postiga. He was less influential with just one assist throughout the match. He needs time to settle into his new position, to form a partnership with Postiga.
Baljit Singh- 7/10
Baljit was one of the most lively players for the ATK team. He kept running all across the park, while creating a number of moves for the team. The live wire was finally substituted at the dying moments of the match.
Helder Postiga- 7.5/10
The marquee player scored an opportunist brace which ensured the victory for the team. Although being one of the youngest marquee player, he was more stationary in the striking zone without coming down to create more chances. He suffered a hamstring pull while scoring the second goal which would surely keep him out for a few matches now.
Subs-
Valdo- 6.5/10
He did not get a lot of opportunities at the end of the match, but whatever he got he made full utilization of them. He scored one brilliant header from a cross from Iain Hume during the 76th minute of the match.
Sushil Singh- 4/10
He hardly touched the ball in the ten minutes he was on the pitch for the team.
Arata Izumi
He came on the field at the last minute of the injury time of the match. He did not get a single touch of the ball during this period.
Chennaiyin FC
Edel Bete- 6/10
He made a mistake in communication with defender Mailson who clashed with him while defending a free kick from Borja Fernandez. Bete dropped the ball which was slotted home by Postiga. He made up for it with the brilliant penalty from Javi Lara diving low towards his right.
Potenza-5.5/10
Potenza was average for the side, playing more of a sweeper role defending the central defense of the team. He was less aggressive, and rarely went on the overlap to support the team’s attack.
Mailson- 6/10
He was partly responsible when his miscommunication with Bete cost them a goal early in the match. After that he made amends with a stern defensive display in the first half. He was forced off with a shoulder injury during the half time break which was surely the turning point of the match.
Abhishek Das- 6/10
Abhishek was a live wire for the team in the righ back position. He was a little subdued in the first half although he came out strongly in the second half of the match. But a clear lack of confidence was evident from the young player as he was moving forward less.
Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte- 6.5/10
The young pick from this year’s auction played wonderfully in the left back position with a spirited defensive display. Although he lacked experience which led to him being substituted in the second half, he surely looks to be a promising prospect.
Raphael Agusto – 5/10
The Brazilian was not really effective during the whole match. He failed to do his duty properly with hardly any presence for the team. He needs to improve if he has to keep his position in the starting lineup of the team in the future.
Harmanjot Khabra- 6/10
Khabra is one of best utilty players in the country in recent times. His offensive mentality and a never giving up attitude helped to evolve his game in the last few years. He surely played very well in the midfield of Chennai winning hard tackles and challenging every single loose ball.
Thoi Singh- 7/10
The young Bengaluru FC defender has been tipped to be a promising talent this year and he surely made his mark in today’s match. His work rate was exceptional fighting for each and every ball in the midfield. With a little more experience, he is sure to go a long way.
Elano- 8/10
According to me, he is probably the man of the match today. Although his team lost but he was the best player in the match with a goal and a number of chances which should have been converted by Fikru. He proved that with a little more support he can pull the entire team on his should on any given day.
Fikru- 5.5/10
Although he was a major reason behind Chennaiyin’s first goal but he is nowhere near to his scintillating form of last year. He missed a number of easy sitters. Fikru’s fitness level is of concern as he had to be substituted during the second half.
Jeje Lalpeklua- 7/10
The national team striker was one of the less rated players before the first match. But he proved all the pundits wrong with an opportunist strike equalizing in the first half of the match. Other than the goal he was very hard working, playing in all the positions for the team. Well played indeed.
Subs
Bernard Mendy- 4/10
Unfit Bernard Mendy had to be brought on the field when defender Mailson could not continue anymore. He was very poor, making several mistakes which were converted by the ATK players. During the second goal it was his miss pass which Postiga got hold off and scored. He added to the misery by gifting a penalty to the Kolkata side by handling the ball inside the box.
Mendoza- 6.5/10
The Colombian was better than Fikru with a number of half chances that he created for himself. He could have easily scored if there was more support from the attacking line of Chennai. It was a surprise that Mendoza was not brought in earlier in the match.
Balwant Singh- 5.5/10
Of the amount of time he played, he gave his best. There were a few moments when he combined with Jeje but unfortunately it was not enough to score a goal. He was the reason behind Chennai getting the penalty which Elano scored.
