ISL: Atletico Kolkata’s show excites Pele

Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) blasted their way to the top of the league as they downed last year’s finalists Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday. The Salt Lake Stadium had approximately 62,000 fans packed in.

It wasa game that didn’t please the away team’s gaffer as Taylor opined it was the referee who was partly to blame with an inconsistent performance, especially with the red card that was awarded to Mehtab Hossain.

Goals from Arata Izumi and Javi Lara on either side of the interval sealed the points for the hosts, though the Yellow’s rallied late in the game and pulled one back through Chris Dagnall in the 80th minute.

Kerala Blasters had a few more early disappointment in store as Gurwinder Singh was injured in the 8th minute, and Ramandeep was brought on to replace him.

Mehtab Hossain also had a crack from long distance, with his shot troubling Calatayud and the goalkeeper had to come out of the box to send it out of play after making an initial save. The Kolkata-based outfit settled for a 1-1 draw against FC Goa after Keenan Almedia’s 81st minute goal helped Goa to cancel Arata Izumi’s first-minute goal.

At 2-0, Kolkata thought they had the match in their pocket.

Atletico doubled its lead in the 53rd minute capping a fine move that saw Hume setting up Lara inside the Blasters’ box with a nice lay-off.

It wasn’t until the 13th minute that Kerala Blasters created their first chance.

Having guided their team to a 3-2 win in Chennai with two dazzling goals in the opening match of the second edition, ATK’s marquee player Helder Postiga is back home recovering from an injury.

ATK climbed to the top of the table with seven points from three matches ahead of FC Pune City (six).

The all-English attack in Sanchez Watt and Chris Dagnall mainly remained immobile as it was mostly a one-way traffic for ATK who held the possession for most part of the match.