#2 Impressive Kolkata midfield lead by Javi Lara
Despite the absence of marquee player, Helder Postiga and Indian midfielder Baljit Sahni, Atlético de Kolkata put up a brilliant display in midfield. Scorer of the opener, Arata Izumi, captain Borja Fernandez all toiled in the middle of the park, making Antonio Habas’ Atlético de Kolkata perform like a well-oiled machine.
At the centre of it all, however, was Spanish midfielder Javi Lara. The 29-year old was calm and composed with the ball throughout the night and got his name up on the score sheet with a magnificent, individual effort. With mazy dribbles, he tied the Kerala Blasters defence in knots. He cheekily turned fellow countryman Bruno Perone and dispatched a low slung shot between the legs of Peter Ramage.
Javi Lara, who was deservingly named the ‘Hero of the match’, will play a crucial role in Kolkata’s next game; an away trip to face high flyers FC Pune City.