Mohammed Rafique nodded home the most important goal in the Indian Super League as Atletico de Kolkata won the inaugural edition here on Saturday evening. The injury-time goal from the substitute broke Kerala Blasters’ hearts after a rousing first-half display at the D.Y. Patil stadium.
KB’s marquee player David James had put his reputation on the line by including himself in place of the in-form Sandip Nandy. He reacted to the header, coming off a flag-kick, but not fast enough to come anywhere near the ball which bounced in sight and continued its onward route into the net.
Rafique, brought in place of Mohd Rafi by ATK coach Antonio Habas, found himself pulled down to the turf by delirious teammates who piled on top of him. The shock on James’s face after holding fort till full-time, contrasted with Apoula Bete’s who was brilliant under the bar.
Bete was at the receiving end as KB broke through frequently in the second half, as he saved efforts from Pearson and Chopra. First Ishfaq rolled a pass parallel to the goalline for Pearson to strike first time and then Hume picked out Chopra with a precise lob, but both efforts were saved.
The huge goalkeeper then pulled off an astonishing save to deny Chopra. A pull-back from the goalline near the right post saw the KB forward trap the ball, turn around his marker into space for a right-footed blast goalwards only to hit Bete’s outstretched left hand and deflect out.
It was a contest between two standout goalkeepers and Bete got a taste of things to come in the 12th minute.
Ishfaq trapped a loose ball, raced into space past two defenders and let fly.
The carpet drive was pouched safely by the ATK custodian. Pearson had earlier lobbed the ball in from far out on the right which Bete punched away.
KB was on the offensive from kick-off, stretching the ATK defence on the left flank with speedy passing.
ATK hit back against the run of play. Arnal lobbed one to fellow striker Rafi, who got past Nirmal Chetri only to be brought down.
The referee flashed the yellow card at the KB defender for a professional foul, though the resultant free-kick was wasted by Podany.
James then got in the firing line when Arnal exchanged passes with Baljit before hitting goalwards.
The KB custodian blocked with his body, and then got into position to pouch a Borja try.
Bete at the other end punched clear a looping Hume free-kick directed inside the near post. KB’s felicity on the ball, probing passing and ability of the receiver to fend off his marker and find his teammate resulted in frenetic action in the ATK half.
Rafi got the best chance to hit on the counter, as he steered clear of Chetri before being tripped.
The result: ATK 1 (Mohammed Rafique 90+3) bt KB 0.
