Last-gasp goal makes Atletico de Kolkata the ISL champions

Kerala Blasters may have dominated the match from start to finish — they may have had eight shots on target, at least three of those clear-cut chances to score — they may have held a tight defensive line which hardly broke in 94 minutes of fast-paced, exciting football — they may have been at their creative best — outclassing the opposite side in all three areas of the pitch. But they still ended up with nothing but a lesson on how cruel football can be. Atletico de Kolkata, struggling throughout the match to contain their opponents — managed to score from a corner in the 94th minute — Mohammed Rafique’s perfectly timed leap and header connecting with Jakub Podany’s whipped set-piece to crown them unlikely — and if you consider just the final — probably undeserved champions of the inaugural Indian Super League. [caption id=“attachment_1940455” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Edel Bete made a number of vital saves to keep ATK in the match. ISL[/caption] If Kerala Blasters were good in the first half, then they were phenomenal in the second — peppering Edel Bete with shot after shot — creating havoc through the left channel with incisive passing, clever movement and the energetic approach which has defined their team throughout the tournament. It was a night when Michael Chopra finally came to life — his deft touches and hold-up play aiding Iain Hume and Stephen Pearson’s runs. His technique and strength also afforded him the best chance of the match when he powered past two markers at point-blank range from goal, dribbled past another and smacked it goalwards only to see Edel’s fingertips divert it away. He then put through Hume with a first-time ball that triggered gasps from the crowd, but his Canadian teammate couldn’t get his shot away. Pearson, who scored the goal against Chennaiyin FC to send Kerala Blasters to the final, was sensational down the left — hovering off Chopra and Hume — and played a one-two with the latter on one such occasion — but Chopra’s shot went straight to Edel again. And while Chopra’s charismatic performance was one of the reasons Kerala could push numbers up the pitch — it was his wastefulness that came to the fore again when he hit straight at the keeper after being sent through by a cheeky overhead lob from Hume. Atletico were being hammered but Kerala’s profligacy meant one chance would sway the final and that is what happened. Up till the 94th minute, only Arnal breaking the offside trap and running clear on goal worried Kerala. That attempt was fired over, but the Spaniard did deliver the assist to win the trophy. It was odd how Kolkata shut down in the second half — especially since they had their moments in the first 45 minutes. Because although Kerala created more chances, players in the red and white jersey had the better ones. The first one was cut out by Nirmal Chettri with a clever but rash tackle — one for which he could have been sent off had it not been for the covering defender. Spaniard Arnal Llibert had capitalised on Kerala wastefull giving the ball away on the right and quickly found Mohammed Rafi on the break. The Indian hitman showed excellent technique to control the pacey pass and was through on goal before Nirmal clattered into him from behind. Baljit Sahni then put in an early teasing ball from the right, finding Arnal’s perfect run behind his marker — but his first time attempt at goal was saved by David James, who rushed forward to block. Minutes later, Kerala troubled Edel through Hume’s freekick which was curling towards the near post and was just pushed away. While Rafique will take away the plaudits for his goal at the death — Edel was also vital in saving his team on every occasion their defence broke. It really ends up being a tale of self-belief — and which team can put their chances away. In the end, and despite Kerala’s heroic journey into the final, it will be Atletico de Kolkata that will keep the tag of ‘first ISL champions’ forever.