ATK Vs Bengaluru FC Ratings: Prabir Das stars under pressure

The Kolkata-outfit will now face Chennaiyin FC in the final of the league on March 14.

ATK soared into the ISL final with an emphatic 3-1 win over Bengaluru at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday evening. After Ashique Kuruniyan had given the visitors an early lead, however, the Kolkata-giants rallied back with a strike from Roy Krishna in the 30th minute. David Williams’ stunning brace in the second-half got the hosts their third ISL final and set up a clash with Chennaiyin FC on March 14.

Here are how the Indian players performed on Sunday night.

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ATK

Arindam Bhattacharya (GK) – 7.5

The ATK custodian was unlucky for Ashique’s goal, but pumped up his effectiveness afterwards. He made some solid saves in the first-half to deny Bengaluru FC any further scoring opportunities.

The 30-year-old made a stunning clutch save when it was still 2-1 and then denied Erik Paartalu with an excellent reflex stop in the 88th minute. His timely stops and excellent work in set-pieces kept his side in the tie and effective encouragement them to get the win.

Pritam Kotal- 7.5

Kotal handled the pressure superbly, thwarting Bengaluru’s counter-attacks with extreme calm nature. His distribution was excellent in driving his side forward, boasting 88% passing accuracy. He stopped multiple attacks, making nine clearances, three interceptions and two blocks in a rock-solid defensive effort.

Sumit Rathi- 5.0

The youngster crumbled under the pressure, poorly botching a last-man tackle allowing Ashique to score the opener. He looked uneasy against Bengaluru FC throughout the game, often letting the attackers go past him to make an attempt to score. Rathi was found out positions on multiple occasions, but his seven clearances helped see out the win.

Prabir Das- 8.0

The ATK defender was high on work-rate right from the get-go and tormented Bengaluru FC with his movement. His crosses were extremely dangerous and he superbly found Krishna for his strike.

Das also went past Bheke before cutting back a cross for Williams' header to get his second assist. He also made five clearances in a fine defensive effort, powering his side into the final.

Michael Soosairaj- 5.5

Soosairaj found a lot of the ball but failed to find that decisive pass or shot on goal, often going past his marker yet ruining his own good work with a poor delivery. The forward just didn’t have the clinical touch and despite showcasing his abilities on occasions, completely lacked any precision.

Michael Regin- 6.0

Regin moved around the ball well from deep, but couldn’t really do much to stop Bengaluru’s swift-breaks. He managed to register an 88% passing accuracy, making a couple of clearances and interceptions as well.

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Substitutions

Jayesh Rane- 6.0

Rane inserted energy into the ATK midfield, pressing Bengaluru FC well and helping them absorb the late pressure with ease.

Bengaluru FC

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK) – 5.5

Gurpreet stood his ground against ATK’s set-pieces, collecting the long-balls really well. He made a superb reflex stop off Williams before conceding against Krishna minutes later. But he was found completely ousted for Williams’ strikes in the second half, but both were out of his grasp.

Harmanjot Singh Khabra- 6.0

The Bengaluru FC midfielder reverted into a make-shift centre-back on Sunday night against ATK but handled his new role well. He kept Soosairaj at bay, not allowing him to penetrate into the box. He also made three interceptions and four clearances to help Bengaluru FC sustain the pressure against ATK. Fulfilled his role decently.

Rahul Bheke- 5.0

Bheke remained his natural composed figure in defence, dealing with ATK’s fierce strike-duo pretty well. But he completely lost his positioning during David Williams' second goal, deciding to go for an unnecessary tackle to expose the backline.

Suresh Singh Wangjam- 6.5

Singh remained a proactive figure in midfield, often slipping into defence to aid Khabra and putting in a tenacious shift. He was guilty of making an unnecessary tackle to concede Williams’ penalty but almost made up with a stunning pass to Frater in the 75th-minute which was scuffed.

Apart from his 79% passing accuracy, he also made two clearances, three interceptions to sniff out attacks and gave quite a spirited performance.

Ashique Kuruniyan- 7.0

Playing in his natural role, Kuruniyan put in a blistering performance from the right side. He looked menacing since the beginning of the game and brilliantly skipped past Sumit Rathi before scoring a stellar strike.

Kuruniyan tormented the hosts with his incisive movement and tested Arindam with some zipping shots. He was substituted out after the hour-mark for running out of steam, but definitely made a statement of intent with a decisive performance.

Sunil Chhetri- 4.5

The Bengaluru FC captain did not look fit enough. He moved the ball around well but couldn’t scourge up his own chances. Whatever chances he got in the second-half, ended up scuffing and couldn’t put in the energetic showing as usual.

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Substituitions

Udanta Singh- 5.5

The Bengaluru FC winger showcased his iconic pace well on occasions against ATK, but completely lacked a final delivery to earn an opportunity for his side.

Leon Augustine- 5.0

Augustine came on very late and couldn’t really make an impact under such pressure.