കോപ്പലാശാന്റെ നെഞ്ചത്ത് 'രണ്ട് വെടി';
ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സിന് ജയത്തുടക്കം
ഐഎസ്എല് അഞ്ചാം സീസണിലെ ആദ്യ ഗോളും ജയവും മഞ്ഞക്കുപ്പായത്തില് എഴുതിച്ചേര്ത്ത് ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ്. ഏകപക്ഷീയമായ രണ്ട് ഗോളിന് എടികെയെ തോല്പിച്ച് കേരള ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സിന് ജയത്തുടക്കം. പോപ്ലാറ്റ്നിച്ച്, സ്റ്റൊജാനോവിച്ച് എന്നിവരാണ് മഞ്ഞപ്പടയുടെ അഭിമാനമുയര്ത്തിയ ഗോളുകള് നേടിയത്.
കൊല്ക്കത്ത: ഐഎസ്എല് അഞ്ചാം സീസണില് എടികെയെ തകര്ത്തെറിഞ്ഞ് കേരള ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് ഉദ്ഘാടനം ഗംഭീരമാക്കി. പോപ്ലാറ്റ്നിച്ച്, സ്റ്റൊജാനോവിച്ച് എന്നിവരുടെ സുന്ദരന് ഗോളുകളില് 2-0ന് എകപക്ഷീയമായിരുന്നു മഞ്ഞപ്പടയുടെ വിജയം. ആദ്യമായാണ് കൊല്ക്കത്തയില് കേരള ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് എടികെയെ മുട്ടുകുത്തിക്കുന്നത്. ഇതോടെ അഞ്ചാം സീസണിന്റെ തുടക്കം മഞ്ഞപ്പടയ്ക്ക് ത്രിസിപ്പിക്കുന്നതായി. മുന് പരിശീലകന് കോപ്പലാശാന്റെ ടീമിനെ അവരുടെ തട്ടകത്തില് തകര്ത്തെന്നത് മഞ്ഞപ്പടയ്ക്ക് ഇരട്ടിമധുരമായി.
നേരത്തെ, ആദ്യ പകുതി ഗോള്രഹിത സമനിലയ്ക്ക് പിരിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. ഇരുടീമുകളും ആക്രമത്തോടെ തുടങ്ങിയപ്പോള് അഞ്ചാം സീസണിലെ ആദ്യ മത്സരം ആവേശഭരിതമായി. ആദ്യ ഇലവനിലെ ഏക മലയാളി താരമായ സഹല് അബ്ദുള് സമദ് മികച്ച ചില ഷോട്ടുകളുതിര്ത്ത് ആദ്യ പകുതിയില് കയ്യടിവാങ്ങി. മികച്ച പ്രകടനം പുറത്തെടുത്തിട്ടും ഫിനിഷിംഗില് പിഴയ്ക്കുകയായിരുന്നു മഞ്ഞപ്പടയ്ക്ക്. എന്നാല് രണ്ടാം പകുതിയില് ഗോള്രഹിത സമനില തുടരും എന്ന് തോന്നിച്ച ഘട്ടത്തില് ഇരട്ട ഗോള്നേടി ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് കളി എടികെയില് നിന്ന് പിടിച്ചെടുത്തു.
71ാം മിനുറ്റില് പകരക്കാരനായി മലയാളി സൂപ്പര് താരം സികെ വിനീത് കളത്തിലിറങ്ങി. 76ാം മിനുറ്റില് സ്റ്റൊജാനോവിച്ചിന്റെ ഗോളെന്നുറച്ച ഷോട്ട് പ്രതിരോധത്തില് തട്ടി വഴിതിരിഞ്ഞ എത്തിയപ്പോള് പോപ്ലാറ്റ്നിച്ച് തലകൊണ്ട് വലയിലിട്ടു. ഇതോടെ സീസണിലെ ആദ്യ ഗോള് മഞ്ഞക്കുപ്പായത്തില് എഴുതിച്ചേര്ത്ത് മഞ്ഞപ്പട വരവറിയിച്ചു. 86ാം മിനുറ്റില് സെര്ബിയന് താരം സ്റ്റൊജാനോവിച്ച് ലോകോത്തര ഗോളിലൂടെ ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സിന്റെ ലീഡ് രണ്ടിലെത്തിച്ചു. എടികെ പ്രതിരോധ താരങ്ങളെ വെട്ടിച്ച് ഗോള്ബാറിന്റെ വലതുമൂലയിലേക്ക് സ്റ്റൊജാനോവിച്ച് പന്ത് വളച്ചിറക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. എന്നാല് നാല് മിനുറ്റ് അധികസമയം ലഭിച്ചിട്ടും ഒരു ഗോള്പോലും മടക്കാന് എടികെയ്ക്ക് ആയില്ല.
ATK, Kerala sharpen knives for Hero ISL opener
Kolkata, September 28: ATK and Kerala Blasters have played so many important fixtures since the start of the Hero Indian Super League in 2014, that even four years and four editions later, they still retain some freshness.
These sides have already played two gripping finals, including one in the first edition at DY Patil Stadium Mumbai and one at a jam-packed home ground of Kerala Blasters in 2016. They’ve played the opening match of last season too and as they square up again in the opening game of the Hero ISL 2018-19 season, there is so much of excitement in the air.
ATK, twice champions, has a 5-1 win record over their rivals from Kerala but when they march out at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Saturday, they will be just as anxious. With several new recruits, many of them established performers in the ISL in the past, ATK have shown that they mean business after missing out on a playoff last season. With a team that has foreign players like Kalu Uche, Everton Santos, Gerson Vieira and Manuel Lanzarote, no wonder the fans are smacking their lips in anticipation.
“For the last two years, I might not have had those players that could give that something extra in the final third. This time we have Lanzarote, Everton, Kalu and Balwant (Singh) who could do that with the ball. I will do my best to create them opportunities but it is all about balance in the team,” said new coach Steve Coppell, who took Kerala Blasters to the final in 2016 and lost, curiously, against ATK.
However, ATK will miss the services of Kalu Uche as the Nigerian is yet to arrive in Kolkata, pending Visa, while their India recruit Arnab Mondal has been replaced by Sandeep Singh. Arnab will be out of action for 4 to 6 weeks due to knee ligament strain.
Coppell will be hoping for complete match fitness for Andre Bikey. "Andre is almost near recovery. We will take call on him tomorrow."
In the opposite dug out, the man in the hot seat will be a familiar face. Former England goalkeeper David James has had a taste of the ATK-Kerala Blasters rivalry, given that he was the player-coach of the team that lost the inaugural ISL final. The former Liverpool custodian has seen the battle up close and believes it’s the fiercest in ISL.
“Rivalry between Kerala and ATK is the biggest in ISL. Both teams have played two finals, close ones at that. Of course, ATK have the upperhand when it comes to dominance. Also, the fixture will have the biggest attendance figures in the league stage,” said James.
These, however, are early days in the new season and like James said, “as much as we want to win against ATK, one game will not define the season.”
The opening game will see Kerala miss the services of India defender Anas Edathodika who is serving a three-match ban. With Anas in the stands, the onus of defending the Kerala fort will be on captain Sandesh Jhingan and co, particularly against an attack that has Kalu Uche and Lanzarote, both proven goal creators and scorers.
Kerala have had their own reinforcements too. James will be hoping the likes of Matej Poplatnik and Slavisa Stojanovic adapt to the league quickly and add the much-required firepower up front, something that Kerala lacked last year.
Ugandan star Keziron Kizito and Ghanaian winger Courage Pekuson will be expected to provide support to the strikers.
“The recruitment was important. We can get best players who are not particularly great people. We have recruited good players who were great for the team. I think the bonding over the pre-season has been very good,” he said.
With so much of firepower at both ends, it is unlikely that the result will be the same as the opening game of last season when the teams drew a blank. More likely, it will go down to the wire.
David James : I cherish ATK & KBFC rivalry
Kolkata, September 28: David James is no stranger to Kerala Blasters’ rivalry with ATK in the Hero Indian Super League. He was the player-manager for Kerala when ATK triumphed in the inaugural edition, and since then his record against their rivals hasn’t really been encouraging.
“I am not sure my record is that bad with ATK. The rivalry between ATK and KBFC is on different levels which I cherish. Winning every single game is important. We want to set the record straight with ATK,” said the former England goalkeeper who has won just once against their arch rivals.
Although both teams have quality Indian players, many of them national players, it will be the international players who will possibly have the biggest say. ATK have signed tried and tested big names in the ISL, while Kerala have opted for younger legs.
“I was very involved (in the recruitment) from beginning of their season. They (ATK) have poured in players with ISL experience. We have roped in players with a longer strategy, looking at the future of the club. We are looking to win the ISL not only this season but in future seasons as well,” explained James.
His opposite number, Steve Coppell, has also been unlucky while sitting in the Kerala dugout against ATK. He lost the 2016 final in tiebreaker in front of the home crowd and is now aiming to help the two-time champions get one over Kerala, first in the opener.
“Just before the start of the season everybody thinks that you are ready but until you play you don’t know if you are ready.
“We are looking forward to the game. It is good that it is against Kerala. They always bring a great atmosphere. So, I am hoping we will enjoy the game and start judging ourselves against other teams,” said the ATK coach.
The former Manchester City manager has a terrific squad at his disposal and he is eager to get going right from the word go.
“I think the big advantage in the ISL is the continuity. If you have continuity of coaches and selection of players, the coaches who have continuity of same core players who have been in the squad. This year for ATK is almost a new beginning with a new coach. We have a very different squad from last year. So, I am hoping we will gel together very quickly.”
Coppell will be handicapped by the absence of right-back Prabir Das, Arnab Mondal (knee) and Andre Bikey (thigh muscle) for the opener, but possibly the biggest set-back before they start their campaign tomorrow would be the absence of Nigerian striker Kalu Uche, while defender Anas Edathodika is suspended for the visitors.
Kerala Blasters two good for ATK in ISL opener
Kolkata, September 29: Kerala Blasters FC registered their first win in Kolkata and handed ATK their first defeat in the opener as they scripted a 2-0 victory in the opening match of the Hero Indian Super League 2018-19 season at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Saturday.
The teams were locked goalless in the first 45 minutes but second half goals from Matej Poplatnik (77th) and Slaviša Stojanović (86th) made the difference.
It were Kerala who started the match on the front foot with Poplatnik coming close with a header as early as the fourth minute, following a delicious cross from left-back Lalruatthara. Five minutes later, the Slovenian forward was in the forefront again following another cross from Lalruatthara but his rasping shot was blocked well by Gerson Vieira.
In the 11th minute, Lakic-Pesic’s inch-perfect header from a Poplatnik corner was cleared brilliantly off the goal-line by Sena Ralte.
ATK’s first threat came through Lanzarote’s corner which curled in and hit the top of the crossbar before going out of play.
Everton Santos then came mighty close to giving ATK a surprise lead in the 26th minute as his pile-driver of a shot from outside the box sailed inches above the crossbar.
ATK custodian Arindam Bhattacharya was then called to make a fine save from a well-placed shot by Abdul Samad. It was the hosts who had the perfect opportunity to take the lead in the dying minutes of the first-half when Jayesh Rane found himself unmarked in the box but the midfielder failed to find the target from El Maimouni’s corner despite having the entire goal at his mercy.
Kerala coach David James threw on Courage Pekuson in place of Abdul Samad after the interval as a cagey 15 minutes or so ensued. Seiminlen Doungel had the best chance during that period after being released behind the ATK defence but the winger’s scuffed shot failed to trouble Bhattacharya.
A set-piece taken by Poplatnik in the 65th minute saw Jhingan bare down on ATK’s goal but the defender’s header sailed just wide of the target. James then brought on CK Vineeth for Doungel as his second throw of the dice as Steve Coppell made a double change at the other end with Kalu Uche and Eugeneson Lyngdoh coming on for Balwant and El Maimouni respectively.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute by the lively Poplatnik who cushioned a perfect header beyond Bhattacharya after Stojanovic’s blocked shot looped above the ATK defence.
Kerala wrapped up three points in the 86th minute, thanks to Stojanovic’s thunderous strike from outside the box.
The visitors then held on to preserve their two-goal lead in the dying minutes to get their 2018-19 campaign off to a perfect star
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