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Indian Super League's second phase of the tournament resumed as Kerala Blasters FC took on ATK at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. The game was full of late drama as it ended 1-1 at the end.
During the first half, there were not any significant moments until Edu Garcia let one fly from outside the box which was saved brilliantly by the shot-stopper Dheeraj.
Just when everybody were settling out for a draw, the visitors were awarded a free-kick from outside the box in a dangerous area. Edu Garcia took it and beat everybody by finding the low route to lead the game in the 85th minute.
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However, Kerala Blasters FC pulled it back through their striker Matej Poplatnik whose header deflected of Gerson Viera and hit the back of the net. Steve Coppell's side lead the game only for two minutes until the hosts gave a perfect response.
Following this game, both ATK and Kerala Blasters FC sit in their respective sixth and eight positions respectively.
ALSO SEE: ISL Schedule | ISL Results | ISL Points table
In this article, we shall look at five hits and flops from this clash.
#1 Hit - Edu Garcia
New acquisition Edu Garcia was a working horse for ATK against the Blasters. The Spanish midfielder put in a tremendous shift and looked like the only player to register his name on the scoresheet.
However, he had an easier chance in the first half when he was one-on-one against Dheeraj, but he failed to hit the target.
Just seconds before the half-time, he tested Kerala Blasters shot-stopper who parried the ball to safety with an excellent save.
He linked up with Jayesh Rane and Hitesh Sharma really well, but they could not find the final pass which was the missing puzzle throughout the game.
However, when he got a freekick in the 85th minute of the game, the midfielder made sure that he would find the back of the net.
Rightfully, Edu Garcia was adjudged as the Hero of the match for marking his comeback to the Indian Super League in a tremendous fashion.
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#2 Flop - Gerson Vieira
Gerson Vieira started as a central defensive midfielder alongside Pronay Halder in the middle of the park to shield the back four.
Throughout the game, the Brazilian played as the third centre-back to give freedom for the other midfielders and forwards to bomb forward. But, he looked like a liability all over the pitch.
Even though Slavisa Stojanovic did not do in the final third of the game, the Serbian found it too easy to run past the ATK midfielder. Halder did not have a good game too. The Indian International was struggling to with pace of Kerala midfielders.
Kerala striker Matej Poplatnik dropped deep to unsettle him who lacked lackluster from minute one. It is no doubt that the Brazilian used to operate as a centre-back, but some of his shambolic defending just does not replicate Vieira himself.
#3 Hit - Matej Poplatnik
Matej Poplatnik was the creative hub for Kerala Blaster FC. The striker did not get involved in the game for first few minutes of the game and decided to drop deep and help out the wingers.
Prasanth Karuthadathkuni and Seminlen Doungel linked up with him exceptionally well to cause some sort of fear to ATK's defence.
Only the linkup play was good between Matej and the wingers. But, the story was the inability of the wingers to cross the ball to find the player inside the penalty box.
The forwards looked isolated inside the box when he was there to contribute towards the final third of the game.
During the first half, Matej Poplatnik generated enormous power to head the ball which was well saved by Arindam Bhattacharya.
He did plenty of running without the ball to help out his teammates. However, his hard work got paid off when his header ricochets off Gerson which found the back of the net to equalize the scoreline.
#4 Flop - Kalu Uche
Kala Uche, who suffered a quadriceps tear last November was ruled out for rest of the first part of the season. He has been training regularly with ATK and was able to recover in time for this clash, but he did not have any effect on this game.
Life was too easy for Sandesh Jhingan and Nemanja Lakic-Pesic who looked solid throughout the game, nullifying the attacker totally.
He totally looked off against Kerala and struggled to even pass the ball. It was Edu Garcia and Jayesh Rane who looked very lively with the ball throughout the game.
After having a miserable outing, he was eventually replaced by another striker Everton in the 68th minute.
Even though he had a poor outing, Steve Coppell must be confident about Uche to play him in the next game as he has an excellent track record of scoring goals.
#5 Hit - John Johnson
John Johnson is one of the best defenders in the league and he did not do any damage to his reputation by putting in an exemplary performance at the back.
Initially, his partner Andre Bikey looked solid, but Johnson grew into the game and nullified the attack of Kerala Blasters.
During the first half, Seminlen Doungel was clear on goal, but the last-ditch tackle from John Johnson to take the ball off the attacker proved to be yet another decisive moment in the game.
His defensive astuteness spoke volumes by cutting plenty of supplies from the wings and the midfielders.
There is no doubt that Steve Coppell has built a solid backline with John Johnson and Andre Bikey as they continue to press for a place in the top four.
