Kolkata managed to stop Pune Raid

After a long time managing to watch this ISL encounter and writing this report. Since it was weekend got chance to witness a thrilling encounter which may go as one of the best match of the tournament, keeping aside all the worries and work. And honest confession even though it was not best possible result for ADK, still can’t say I was not satisfied with the match.

To start with just a moment lapse from Pritam Kotal, young Mohun Bagan  Defender saw the mystro , Luis Garcia latching on the opportunity and delivering a perfect cross to Podany who headed in the first goal of the match in the 11’ avoiding his marker Mehraj. Age have taken away many things from Garcia, he is no more Luis Garcia , the Liverpool legend and a demi God but still today he can deliver a perfect ball at will. The cross he provided, though full credit to Podany but you got to admit that cross was hard to miss.. Just outside the 5 yard box, keeping the goalkeeper, in two mind weather to go for the ball or to stay in the line and a perfect header to end it all. After that there was not much Kolkata in the match though they got some chances but were not able to convert. Fikru is not in form and more he is not getting that support he needs. And what surprises me is even though the strategy is not going in favour of ADK still ADK is playing with a strategy which looks like 4+1+3 +1+1 which is some time getting into the formation of 4+1+4+1 and mostly its becoming 5+3+1+1 with 4 men in defence 1 defensive blocker + snatcher sort of defensive pivot ahead of defence line, which is usually played by Nato but since he was on suspension it saw Mashi once again getting in for whole 90’ . Even with all the pathetic displays and internet jokes on Mashi ADK still fielding him for full time is somehow surprising.Today it was no different. I never remember Mashi won any ball in the midfield, the role which is played by Nato with such good effect was appearing awful with Mashi doing it. When one look at him he don’t appear to be fit. A pot belly coming out of him hints he is not in touch. She don’t seem to understand what is going around. He goes for final tackle misses and the defence feels helpless. He loses the ball at wrong places increasing the woes of the back. Then his poor clearance and awful miss passes. Fielding in Mashi is like playing in with fire you can concede goal at any time. There had been long debate weather you should go for your best 11 and make strategy on best available 11 or you want your strategy and somehow accommodate someone with make shift arrangement . Habas seems to be going on for later and its least likely we are going to see Kolkata playing with different style. But it was hard to know why Jofre was missing from the first 11 today. And after the goal it was from that end where Jofre plays Pune made ADK’s life a living hell. Dudu, East Bengal’s foreign recruit was charging in for every ball. You feel good as an EB fan but it was ominous sign as an ADK fan. Dudu-Katsouranis-Colomba combination was just toying in with ADK defence and one time it looked like a forward-defence practice with Pune firing in all cylinders and ADK defending in Josemi and Kinghusk were clearing one ball after another. Its been long debated that Subhashis is best goalkeeper for ADK and he should get in nod in all the matches and Adel looks shaky. But Adel was superb today I can think of at least 3-4 spectacular saves by Edel and felt he could have won the man of the match which in fact went to Katsouran is for his goal in the dying minutes of the first half. It was only matter of time that Pune looked to score and it was a great volley just from the top of the box, but how many times have we seen Kolkata conceding goals just on the dying seconds. In the second half it was similar story with Garcia trying his heart out but failed narrowly once and also just 11seconds after the breather Podany almost scored the 2^nd but timely interception by Arindom, Pune custodian saw no harm done. But even in the second half it was same vicious attack by Pune. But then Colombo was substituted all of sudden. The reason hard to understand but it had been a tournament with strange coaching decisions.And more strangely after sometime Jofre got in place of Garcia. It was more strange. If Jofre was fit, he should have played in for whole 90’ and even then if you want to win you got to field in Garcia for whole 90’ specially if there is a deadlock or you are trailing. But after Colombo was replaced with Abranches another East Bengal boy saw some parity being restored in the match and Kolkata coming back into the match pall possession which at one time was 67-33 came down to 58-42 in favour of Pune.. Another thing was evident in today’s match that to dominate the match you need to take in control of the midfield and Pune did exactly that. The likes of young Indian blood like LenyRodrigrez and PritamKotal didn’t let Garcia to display his magic much. He was dispossessed several times and though he can sent great balls he is not good with physical challenges these days and understandable so. Jofre was really missed. Rafique getting in the nod has dismal performance. Pennant was fouled by Fikru, who couldn’t do much in the match and his frustration was evident on the opponent players.Pennant had to be replaced then. And after Leny being replaced it was clear that either side was going for draw. Bruno Cirilo had another great match, he didn’t let the opponent strikers make merry. And the game ended in deadlock with one goal each. And with this draw Kolkata stayed at 2^nd spot with 17 points with 3 games to go and Pune stayed on 7^th. Kolkata are almost through to the semis, if nothing miraculous happen Chennai and Kolkata are going through semis.

But all I can say is Kolkata for the first time seemed to be not in control of the match. And they can consider themselves lucky to salvage a single point here. All points are important. But the way they lost in Kerala match, with sure goal being disallowed they deserve to get in some luck.

But Habas needs to think about his strategy.

• About the Author

About Rony Dasgupta

Kolkata based Rony Dasgupta is a web developer by profession. Since completing his MCA from Pailan College of Management & Technology, he has been associated with many projects. Currently he is working as a project leader in —-. Rony is deeply rooted to Kolkata and its versatile culture. He loves sports, paintings and writing. Rony is a published author and believes in ‘live and let live’ mantra. He likes to keep his surroundings happy and healthy.