#5 Ability to handle pressure
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Kolkata found themselves in difficult situations on many occasions throughout the season but came through most of them unscathed. There were a few striking examples in the knockout stages that exemplified Kolkata's resilience.
First, in the semifinal against Mumbai, Robert Lalthlamuana was sent off in the second leg just before half-time. That meant Kolkata had to play almost 50 minutes with a man less, guarding only a one-goal lead.
But they showed incredible character and didn't concede a goal, with their clean sheet ensuring a place in the final.
In the final, Sereno went off injured in extra-time, but Kolkata took the game to penalties. Hume missed the first penalty, but the four others who took the penalties dispatched their kicks with aplomb.
When the going got tough, the tough get going - Atletico de Kolkata perfectly exemplified that saying this season, and their victory was an apt reward for their efforts.
