Atletico de Kolkata claimed their
second Indian Super League title in three years after bettering Kerala Blasters
4-3 (1-1) on penalty shootout in a lack-lustre final. The match was tied in 1-1
at the break and after 90 minutes of regulation time. Mohammed Rafi put the
hosts ahead in the 37th minute and Henrique Sereno Fonseca equalized
seven minutes later at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.
Jewel Raja turned out to be the
jewel in ATK's crown, calmly dispatching the last penalty, after Sameehg
Doutie, Borja Fernandez and Javi Lara all converted their spot kicks. Only Iain
Hume's shot was blocked by Kerala custodian Graham Stack. The home team
took first strike in the shootout. Antonio German, Kervens Belfort and Mohammed
Rafique scored while Elhadji Ndoye blasted over from 18 yards and Cedric
Hengbart's shot was acrobatically saved by ATK goalkeeper Debjit Majumder.
ATK also defeated Kerala in the
final of the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2014. The match received an
early dose of pace with chances created at both ends, but poor technique
coupled with signs of nervousness, prevented the two team's premier forwards
from capitalizing on the opportunity. Kerala forward Kervens Belfort outran
India international Pritam Kotal and found the in-form CK Vineeth free on the
left, who undid the good work with poor technique. The ball was quickly hurled
towards ATK's star striker Iain Hume, who peeled away from his marker but was
equally wayward in controlling the ball.
Eight teams, 60 matches, more than
two months of football has finally come down to two teams playing one last
match this year to go for the title itself. Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala
Blasters have both gone wayward on multiple occasions this season. But they
have pushed forward with sheer determination and now have the title within
touching distance.
No comments:
Post a Comment