Super Cup Player Ratings: Pritam Kotal & Balwant Singh the stars as ATK edge out Real Kashmir

The Snow Leopards seemed to wilt in the oppressive conditions late in the game. 

ATK progressed into the quarter-finals of the Hero Super Cup with an impressive 3-1 win over Real Kashmir at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Monday. After first-half strikes from Balwant Singh and Mason Robertson kept the game level, Manuel Lanzarote’s brilliant strike gave the Kolkata outfit the lead.

Everton Santos sealed the deal with a super-sub appearance, booking Steve Coppell’s side a date with Delhi Dynamos in the next round.

Here are our player ratings.  

ATK

Debjit Majumder- 6.0

In his first start of the season, Debjit looked alert in goal, holding onto some tricky crosses really well.  However, he couldn’t do much about Robertson’s blistering shot which blazed into his goal. Did well to avert humiliation with a tricky shot in the second half and held onto his opponents looping crosses pretty well.

Pritam Kotal- 7.0

Kotal did a good job keeping Ritwik Das contained, using his experience to stop him on his tracks multiple times. He made some good challenges and stopped Kashmir’s flow through his side. Roamed forward with intent, linking well with Lanzarote and helping threaten through the right.

Ricky Lallawmawma- 6.5

Ricky wasn’t as effective going forward as he usually is, but held his stance against Danish Farooq really well. Lucky to avoid a penalty when a near handball inside the box almost made ATK concede a cheap penalty. Recovered to keep Real  Kashmir quiet on the left, making crucial clearances and tackles, while also showing more determination going forward.

Pronoy Halder- 5.0

All over the place in midfield. Couldn’t control the midfield as he wanted to. He was too reckless with his challenges and got riled up by Kashmir's toughened approach. Fortunate not to get sent-off after a direct elbow on Ganie in the first half and he switched off allowing Thapa to go past him for the equalizer. Somewhat improved after the second half, but still lacking the steel he’s known for.

Jayesh Rane- 5.5

Rane was kept quiet through most of the half, rarely creating any big chances. He did try some moments of trickery but wasn’t as creative as he usually is. However, he moved into a more central role in the second half which worked better for him, as he pinged some promising passes from the middle.

Balwant Singh- 7.0

Looked much more dangerous down the middle, as he stuck to his position and threatened inside the box. Scored a smart header to give his side and linked up really well with his Spanish compatriots, often getting into good positions and looking much more hungry for goals than he ever did in the ISL season.

Substitutions

Komal Thatal- N/A

Came on too late and couldn’t really architect more goals for his side.

Eugeneson Lyngdoh- N/A

Helped ATk see out the game.

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Real Kashmir

Bilal Khan- 5.5

Bilal didn’t really have much to do in the first half, but displayed impressive distribution ability and collecting the ball well. Khan couldn’t really do much about Balwant’s header which was too powerful for him to grasp or about Lanzarote’s rocket. Could’ve done better for Everton’s goal, but seemed a bit turned off after the second one.

Dharmaraj Ravanan- 6.0

The experienced right-back was rock-solid as ever, keeping Jayesh Rane quiet throughout and barely allowing ATK to move through his wing. He made some decent tackles and won the ball multiple times to stamp his authority and getting his side roaming forward. Ended up losing steam towards the end, not tracking opponents with as eagerness as he normally does.  

Abhash Thapa- 6.5

The bubbling left-back should’ve done better in closing down Lanzarote for the first goal, but redeemed himself when he blazed into the final third and assisted Robertson’s piledriver. He was always a threat going forward and apart from that mistake kept a close eye on the ATK captain.  

Farhan Ganie- 6.0

Ganie won the physical battle with Halder and supplemented partner Bazou pretty well. His distribution was really good, as the midfielder helped his side gain control and stopped many attacks with his clever position and reading of the game. However, he lacked creativity and couldn’t create anything for his side.

Ritwik Das- 6.0

The young winger had a tough task ahead of him but never shied away from displaying his talent. He always looked to take on Kotal,  outwitting him once or twice but getting stopped in his tracks mostly. Linked well with Thapa and displayed moments of real skill at certain periods. Substituted after a hard-working effort.

Danish Farooq- 5.0

Farooq was again a frustrating figure to watch as he didn’t even manage to proper immerse into the game and influence Kashmir’s attackers. Barely created anything and moved around trying to find his best position, failing to do so every time. Looked a frustrated figure throughout.

Substitutions

Surchandra Singh- 6.0

The dazzling winger was brought on too late but created some good moves by sending Mason Robertson through the right. Singh displayed some moments of brilliance with his acceleration, but couldn’t carve out any chances for the Snow Leopards.

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Vicky Khaidem- N/A

Came on very late and wasn’t able to do anything with the game already sealed.