Kolkata: It was the home team Atletico de Kolkata who won 3-0 against Mumbai City FC in the first game of the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League at the packed Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Sunday.
A dunk in the 28th minute from Ethiopian striker Fikru Tefera Lemessa opened the account for Atletico de Kolkata. Tefera's run was brilliant and even a desperate Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who came forward but couldn't save the goal that sent the 70,000 fans on a home run.
Spaniard and former Real Madrid player Borja Fernandez's spectacular volley from the edge of the box at the 68th minute. Another Spanish player Arnal Llibert, who substituted marquee player Luis Garcia, put the icing on the score line with his goal in the 90+2nd the host city and its football-crazy people.
Atletico de Kolkata were a better side right from the beginning of the match as their forwards Baljit Sahni and Tefera ran amok in the Mumbai's box.
The home team, which is allied with current La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, showed their opponents what quality passing is with their Tiki Taka style play and stunned Mumbai City FC, who were playing the trademark English way with long passes.
The electrifying atmosphere of the stadium reminded many of the iconic Mohun Bagan and East Bengal clashes. The crowd performed the Mexican wave with each good move by the Atletico de Kolkata players. It was indeed a perfect start to the tournament for the organisers couldn't have asked for more. Hoards of people flocked in the stadium right from noon and many local vendors were seen selling Kolkata and Mumbai flags and head bands.
The 28-year-old Fikru got a long ball from Garcia who did well to pass the ball before German defender Manuel Friedrich could intercept. Fikru then brilliantly flicked it over local boy Subrata Paul for the opening goal.
Garcia once again showed his class as the former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid midfielder was involved in two more chances early on in the game which were not converted.
Mumbai were lacklustre, probably missing two of their star players in Nicolas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg, in the first half and tried to add a little more venom to their attack by bringing in Italian forward Andre Moritz in the second-half. Mortitz gave a ray of hope to the visitors as he won a freekick but he couldn't keep in.
Also worth mentioning here is the brilliance shown by Atletico de Kolkata's goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, who saved at least three sure goals for his side to keep the score sheet clean.
Soon after the match ended, a visibly happy Kolkata co-owner Sourav Ganguly, alongwith Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh and Mumbai co-owner Ranbir Kapoor, took a shot each at the goal. And again it turned out to be Ganguly's day as only he managed to put the ball through the keeper.
Coach Habas - a happy man
Atletico de Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas was running out of words to praise his team after the victory and said this was the start he was looking for.
Habas, who speaks little English, gave the journos a hard time to take the quotes. But his happiness was evident from his smiling face.
"I am very happy with the team's performance tonight. This was the kind of start we were looking for. It was the best line-up for me. The crowd support was amazing and we hope to get the same support in our next matches."
When asked to choose the best goal out of the three his team scored, Habas said: "Though all the goals were good but I liked the second one (Borja's goal)."
No excuse for loss, says Peter Reid
A disappointed Mumbai City FC coach Peter Reid said there can be no excuses for the drubbing they got in Kolkata.
"No excuses for the loss. The best team won the match today. We can only get better with time."
When asked what instructions he was issued to his players after the first half, Reid said: I was telling them to pass the ball better. You can't win the match by losing possession. I was repeatedly asking them to pass better."
The former Manchester City manager said he was not clear when Nicolas Anelka would be available to start for them. Anelka is serving a ban for making a controversial gesture while playing in the English Premier League (EPL).
"We are still not clear when Anelka can play. We will have to wait as we don't want a fallout with the FIFA," he signed off.
Comments
0 comment