ISL: Five things that defined the first Kolkata Derby

Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh handed ATK Mohun Bagan the victory against SC East Bengal.

Antonio Lopez Habas inspired ATK Mohun Bagan defeated SC East Bengal in the first-ever Kolkata Derby in the Indian Super League (ISL), with Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh registering their names on the scoresheet. In what was a lop-sided affair with contrasting displays in both halves, the Green and Maroons showed tactical maturity and the mentality of champions to take three points and the bragging rights. 

However, there was more to the match than the scoreline suggests. East Bengal controlled proceedings and were a dominant force in midfield. But, the ISL holders were wearing their shooting boots. Let’s take a look at some aspects of the game that influenced it significantly: 

5. Pritam Kotal proves yet again why he has the armband

The ATKMB centre-back showed yet again why he’s the leader of the pack with an inspired performance. The former Delhi Dynamos full-back looks well-settled in the back three system and its resoluteness is equally shared between Tiri, Sandesh Jhingan and captain Kotal. 

In the first half, Kotal thwarted a delicious East Bengal counter-attack led by Balwant Singh. He did not just stop the ball, he took it away from the former Churchill Brothers striker with a rabona tackle, rarely seen at the back. In the second half, the captain was also present to stop an attempted through-ball from Mohd. Rafique, that would’ve found an onrushing Anthony Pilkington in Mohun Bagan’s final third. 

4. East Bengal show promise; chinks still in armour

At the beginning of the Kolkata Derby, East Bengal looked settled and full of confidence to face the ISL winners. 90 minutes and two goals later, it wasn’t the same for a team that had started on the front foot. In the first five minutes, East Bengal had a penalty shout with their star playmaker Pilkington going down in the box. 

https://youtu.be/m0pSmSOgY2U

Even in the first half, SCEB had 58% possession with 258 passes, 113 more than their arch-rivals. Their dominance was also visible in the fact that their successful passing percentage was 78%, compared to Mohun Bagan’s 66%. However, moving the ball and putting it in the back of the net are two different skill sets. 

3. Javi Hernandez and Carl McHugh are warhorses

One of them lacks the flamboyance and beauty of a certain Edu Garcia and the other is as unheralded as a player could be. However, throw them into the war and they come out with lazy elegance, spirit and lackadaisical brutality. Javi Hernandez’s first half volley that warranted a palm from Debjit Majumder and his runs that pulled East Bengal’s imposing midfield deep into their own half were commendable. 

Carl McHugh was a constant presence in the heart of ATKMB’s midfield, shielding their defence with authority while adding his physicality from set-pieces to good effect. McHugh thwarted two good balls from Jacques Maghoma at a juncture when the game was slowly gliding into East Bengal’s favour. 

2. Maghoma and Pilkington need to switch flanks

It was predictable of head coach Robbie Fowler to deploy Pilkington down the left flank and Maghoma on the right, a move that seemed to considerably restrict the ability of both playmakers. With a gifted left-foot, Pilkington could only find an onrushing Narayan Das on the left flank, massively reducing his impact on the game. Had he played on the right, he would have had the entire field in his view and could have even taken more potshots at goal.

ALSO READ: Krishna, Manvir fire ATKMB past SC East Bengal in Kolkata Derby

Maghoma looked more like a winger than a striker the entire game. For a brief period, both players switched roles and turned into inverted playmakers, widening their vision of play considerably, but couldn’t conjure up anything worthwhile due to lack of ideas. The pair is playing too close to each other, as if only trying to find each other on the pitch. 

1. Antonio Lopez Habas outwitted Robbie Fowler in the second 45

In a preparatory article for Khel Now, the author had written that Habas doesn’t give an inch to the opposition. ATKMB fans would vouch for it after the game. Pulling out the out-of-touch Jayesh Rane was important, but so was lending Javi Hernandez extra impetus to move forward. Fowler, on the other hand, sat on the laurels of the first half and did not change or force proceedings. 

A special mention must also be made off Roy Krishna, who made a half-chance look like a certain one. It was a delicious finish from his weak foot, at a height that is always difficult for any goalkeeper to deal with at fierce pace. 

Good night ATKMB fans! You’ll sleep well tonight!