ISL 2017, Match 1: Kerala Blasters vs ATK, 5 Talking Points about the match

The opening match of ISL 2017 saw two giants of the league take on each other at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Kochi. Kerala Blasters hosted ATK in what was a repeat of last season's final.

The home side started extremely slow off the block, while ATK dominated possession, pushing the Blasters deep into their own half. In the end, both sides cancelled each other out in what was largely a tactical battle between two quality sides.The match ended in a 0-0 deadlock. Here are the major talking points from tonight's encounter.

#1 Usual suspects take their time to ease into the match

Kerala and ATK both have a handful of impact players in their starting eleven. However, stars from both sides found it difficult to impose themselves in the opening minutes of the match. The likes of Berbatov, Ian Hume and CK Vineeth all looked sluggish for the first twenty-odd minutes. Midfielder Arata Izumi also failed to make much of an impact on the game.

At the other end, Eugeneson Lyndgoh could not get on the ball as much as he would have liked for ATK. As a result, neither side could string together a series of passes. The first half had a stop-start feel to it. The second half was hardly different, as the usual suspects failed to make any kind of tangible impact.

#2 Kerala Blasters endure frustrating first half

Rene Muelensteen cut a frustrating figure on the Kerala Blasters bench. (Image Courtesy: ISL)

This wasn't how it was supposed to begin, for God's Own Country. There was a capacity crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. However, it was ATK, who were bossing the match for the entire first half.

Kerala were pegged back from minute one and struggled to get going. The home side were playing on the counter, while the visitors took some brave risks to try and cut open Kerala's defence. The Blasters were on edge and never looked settled on the ball. In fact, they were chasing the game for the entire half.

#3 Iain Hume disappoints on opening day

Iain Hume was largely ineffective on the flanks. (Image Courtesy: ISL)

Just before he was substituted on the hour mark, Kerala's Ian Hume cut a frustrating figure as he desperately asked his midfielders to press higher up the pitch. That moment was synonymous with his night.

For large parts of the hour, Hume played out of position on the wings, as an inverted winger. With all due respect, Hume does not have the pace neither the trickery to play as a wide man. Understandably, he positioned himself closer to Berbatov for fifteen minutes in the second half before he was brought off. Iain is effective but only when he plays in his desired position.

#4 ATK have a gem in Hitesh Sharma

Hitesh Sharma was the silver lining in an otherwise drab game. (Image Courtesy: ISL)

Around this time last year, 19-year-old, Hitesh Sharma was plying his trade in the I-League for the now-defunct Mumbai FC. Fast forward to 2017, and Hitesh started for ATK and produced a thoroughly impressive performance. At Mumbai, he had to settle for a place on the bench.

Tonight, he was part of the starting XI and displayed glimpses of his versatility and close control. Sharma created ATK's best chance of the night. Unfortunately for him, his stinging shot from close range was parried away by Kerala's keeper. In Hitesh, ATK have a boy who is comfortable carrying the ball forward and who combines well with the striker.

Dimitar Berbatov looked out of sorts for the Kerala Blasters. (Image Courtesy: ISL)

5 Tough start for Berbatov in the ISL

Nobody said it was going to be easy. Far from it. When Dimitar Berbatov landed in Kerala, he was well aware that playing in the ISL would not be a walk in the park. Today his assumption was proved right. Kerala's star man was rarely in the thick of things. He was made to work hard for every touch of the ball.

When he did get on the ball, he was dispossessed within seconds. It's safe to say that Dimitar has realised he needs to be on his A-game if he has hopes to make an impact in this league. It's still early days, but expect the experienced campaigner to return with a bang.