ISL 2016: NorthEast United 1-2 Atletico de Kolkata - 5 talking points

Atletico de Kolkata marched to the top of the table in the Indian Super League as a come from behind victory against NorthEast United at the Indira Gandhi Stadium at Guwahati secured all three points for the visitors. The hosts took a well-deserved lead in the first half as an inch-perfect cross by Nirmal Chhetri was met with a clinical header by Alfaro in the middle.

However, in spite of their dominance in the opening 45 minutes, the home side failed to put the game to bed and were made to pay dearly in the second half. The return of Helder Postiga to the Atletico side in the second half made all the difference as the Portuguese showed his class in the middle. Postiga dragged Kolkata back into the game and they were finally rewarded with a goal in the 63^rd minute with Postiga himself finding the back of the net.

The visitors finally struck gold late as Belencoso scored his first goal in the ISL to secure all three points for ATK. Here are five of the biggest talking points from the game.

#1 Helder Postiga makes a marquee impact

Helder Postiga has struggled to stay on the field for much of his time in the Indian Super League. However, whenever he has been on, the Portugues has oozed class. Before being stretchered off with a season-ending injury last season, Postiga had gifted the Kolkata crowd with two magnificent goals in his 72 minutes on the pitch.

This season had started off on a bright note yet again when he helped produce ATK’s first goal of the season with a brilliant through ball. However, it all turned sour when another injury – this time to the rib saw him being sidelined for the last four games.

However, his impact on this one after coming on at half-time was everything Jose Molina would have wished for this Diwali and then some. The Portuguese put ATK firmly back in the game with his telling touches and terrific turns. Playing in the hole behind Belencoso, he along with Borja Fernandez and Steven Pearson took hold of the game.

Not only was his own play top notch; he made others around look a tad bit better. That’s something that’s rarely found.

#2 Alfaro shows his class yet again

Alfaro bagged his 5^th goal in 8 games(Image courtesy: ISL)

Alfaro has been a tremendous signing for NorthEast United this season. The leading goalscorer in the ISL this season, scored his 5^th goal in 8 games when he was able to head home a beautifully whipped ball from the right by Nirmal Chhetri.

The Uruguayan looked his menacing self in the first half which saw him run the Kolkata backline into a frenzy with quick runs and nifty exchanges with the likes of Katsumi Yusa and Wellington Priori. And you wouldn’t blame him if he felt a bit let down by the referee after his shouts for a penalty fell on deaf ears after Kolkata goalie Debjit Majumdar seemed to clearly foul him on the 34-minute mark.

The former Lazio man, however, failed to have much of an impact in the final 45 as Kolkata’s midfield trio began to take a hold on proceedings. With balls for Alvaro drying up, NorthEast’s attacking drive fell flat.

#3 Molina's adjustments pay off as the Indian contingent shines for ATK

Ralte(L) had a fine game on the right-hand side(Image courtesy: ISL)

Credit has to be given to Atletico coach Jose Molina, who had to watch this game from the stands after getting sent off last game against Mumbai FC. After seeing his team fall prey to their first defeat of their campaign in their game against Mumbai last time around, he rang in the changes, sitting Iain Hume and Tiri out in this one.

However, as things began going against his team in the first half, he again made a double substitution at the interval to give his team, the best chance to win. Whilst bringing Helder Postiga was an obvious call, putting him in for the in-form Sameehg Doutie was a brave call. He should be lauded for the courage he showed in bringing Robert in place of the hard-working Prabir Das at left back to give his team natural width down the left. And the changes had a telling impact in this game.

Both goals came via some potent attacks down the right as Robert combined brilliantly with Lalrindika Ralte to give Atletico some real threat down that side of the pitch. Dika, who has also been criticized of late for failing to live up to expectations, put in two telling balls which eventually sealed the fate of the match.

#4 Velez and Romaric sorely missed

While Cullen had a decent game, NorthEast missed the likes of Velez and Romaric(Image courtesy: ISL)

NorthEast United went into the game fighting attrition as they were without the services of their midfield mainstay Romaric and last year’s top goalscorer Nicolas Velez, who has looked sharp yet again this season. And the depth of their squad or rather the lack of was exposed in the second half of the game.

With Postiga coming on, ATK were able to grab a hold of the possession as they began dictating the game and its pace. With Romaric missing in the middle, the Highlanders looked outmaneuvered in the middle of the park as Rowlin Borges and Wellington Priori were outclassed by the ATK trio of Postiga, Pearson, and Borja.

NorthEast looked desperately for anyone with an assured touch in the middle, but there was no one who came forward to the occasion.

Meanwhile, on the wings, Vingada sorely missed Velez, who with his electric runs and outrageous skills have taken many a defence for a ride. Whilst Cullen gave a good account of himself in the first half on the left-hand side of the pitch, he fizzled out of the game in the latter stages.

#5 ATK finally show attacking intent

ATK have finally woken up from their slumber(Image courtesy: ISL)

With his team under pressure for not producing many chances in the last few games - 6 goals in their first 6 games with 2 of them coming from the spot was always going to be a point of concern - Molina can’t be criticized for trying all avenues to cure the problem. He has shifted players around and tried various combinations to get the best out of the team and yet, since their first game against Chennaiyin, no one except Javi Lara and Sameehg Doutie has looked likely to threaten the goal.

With Iain Hume off colour and Helder Postiga out, it was proving to be a steep task, too steep at times. Molina was under constant bombardment from the media regarding the style of their play.

However, the Spaniard has not gone away from his fundamental style of playing possession based football. And finally today, it all came together in the second half. Even without Sameehg Doutie and Iain Hume, the visitors looked sharp as well as menacing with Postiga, in particular, peppering the opposition goal with his shots.

And if they can maintain this level of play, there is no doubt that Atletico will be one of the main contenders for the crown yet again.