Kolkata 1 Jofre(Penalty)-1(Elias) Delhi
Disappointed! That’s my expression. To start with I had the idea that Kolkata would miss Borja and then Garcia also going out made it difficult but what disappoints me here is that even without Garcia when they managed to take to lead they should have hold on to it.
Image Source: IndianExpress
The game started with as usual midfield dominance of Athelico. But there was a chance for Delhi when the Juventus and Italy legend Del Piero got the ball inside the box in almost the start of the play. Piero couldn’t hold on to the ball though with close marking of Arnab and Josemi and there was a slight touch by Josemi and Piero and the later dived. Fifa Pannel referee Satish Kumar was close to the spot and proved that why he is the best referee in India. He closely gave yellow to Piero.
After that there was Kolkata show with Fikru almost scored when he trapped a ball and put between the legs of Delhi goalkeeper Hout who just got a touch in the foot and the ball somehow failed to get inside the net. There was not much opportunity for the teams in the first half with both the teams stuck in the midfield. But Kolkata really has better defence than most of the teams in the tournament. They are thoroughly professional with leadership of Josemi and Arnab and Denzil are growing in confidence with each match. They just try first time clearance and don’t go for final challenge inside the box, which is the key to success for a defender. The second half saw Garcia, having hamstring injury replaced by Rakesh Masih. It was a total shock for anyone who knows Indian football. When you have Cavin Lobo in your bench, who is the best attacking midfielder of India at this moment only God can answer what he is doing warming the benches and when your main player who can play holding the ball gets out isn’t it necessary to get another ball player in ? Instead it appeared coach tried to shift Jofre to the role of Garcia and have a defensive midfielder and it almost clicked with Jofre managed to find Fikru who was pulled by his shirt by Delhi defender and referee rightly adjudged and gave penalty to Kolkata. Jofre scored from the spot kick. After that there were few more chance created by Jofre. He was truly fitting into the new task and almost took away the game . Ther was a shot from Jofre which was fisted by Hout and it reached to Baljit, who again did what he does best shot it right to the goalkeeper. Its increasing frustrating to see Baljit in action. Hemisses so many opportunity and he being doing the same for last 4 years. Only God knows when he will finish. And when all these was going on, on the other half a Tulunga shot went over the bar and then Elias equalised for Delhi with a spectacular volley outside the box. It looked wonderful, but you got to think those goal wouldn’t happen every day. It was the only time Kolkata defence conceded a goal in three matches and nobody was really at fault here. With Garcia and Borje out there was not must left to create opportunity and even Fikru was guarded well. Jofre tried but everyone failed to get name on the score sheet and to add the woes of Kolkata Masih got double booked and was out . It was quite justified both the time. And the question remains why the hell would team like ADK field someone like him. In the dying minutes Del Piero was replaced by Santos and Sanju replaced Baljit. Question stays that will Sanju be used as a 90 minute substitute? Baljit is not a natural right wing, he is bulky . Sanju is a winger with good speed and agility and also ability to take long ranger but why in spite of missing golden opportunity to score Baljit is being fielded regularly is really questionable. The head coach certainly don’t know much about Indian players but what is the role of Barreto here? He knows Indian players , Why still we are having awful combination even after 3 matches. ADK need to find those answers.
The match was also supposed to be a battle of Del Piero and Garcia and both failed. Baring one freekick Del Piero did nothing throughout the span of 90minutes he was in the field. And Garcia unfortunately had to leave midway due to hamstring injury. Best of luck for the next matches but ADK certainly need something to get right. 1. Use Sanju more 2. Use Lobo there is no one better than him in India at this moment. And it was disappointing today to draw a winning match ADK should have caution not to repeat this.
In another interesting development it was confirmed that Subhashis Roy Chowdhury, Athelico goalkeeper and ex East Bengal custodian re-joined East Bengal.
[Original Source: http://ronylive.in/isl-athelico-de-kolkata-vs-delhi-dynamos/]
Tags: Delhi Eliasin ESL ISL Kolkata
