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The final match of the Super Cup 2018 qualifiers saw defending Indian Super League champions ATK (formerly known as Atletico de Kolkata) take on I-league club Chennai City FC at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
The two sides had similar seasons in their respective leagues as they finished in the bottom half of the table. Chennai City barely avoided the drop from I-League as they finished on the eight spot on the table, whereas, ATK who were the defending champions from last season had a disappointing ninth-place finish.
ATK won in convincing fashion as they scored four goals past Chennai City FC with Hitesh Sharma, Zequinha, Robbie Keane and Ashutosh Mehta getting their name on the scoresheet. Jean Michael Joachim grabbed a goal at the end of the first goal for the Chennai City FC side. ATK will take on FC Goa in the main draw of the Super Cup.
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ATK
Soram Poirei (6/10) - The Manipuri goalkeeper had a quiet first half for the most part but was beaten late in the added time when Joachim John beat him from close range with a diving header.
Prabir Das (6.5/10) - The former Mohun Bagan man played in the right-back role and was good in both attack and defence for the Indian Super League side. He was marking the dangerous Soosairaj on his flank and did a good job at containing him
Jordi Montel (6/10) - The Spaniard organized the ATK backline as he asserted a strong presence inside the box winning a lot of aerial duels and tackles.
Ashutosh Mehta (7/10) - The Mumbaikar played in the central defender role today in place of veteran Anwar Ali in the backline. He scored the third goal on the night for ATK when he found himself in a good position after a defensive scramble inside the box during an ATK corner.
Keegan Pereira (6/10) - The left-back for the Kolkata side had a busy day on the flank as he operated up and down the flanks. He provided good support to Zequinha up ahead of him in the attack as he made a lot of overlapping runs.
Conor Thomas (6/10) - The English midfielder played as the defensive midfielder and used his ball distribution well to move the ball around from the back. He was strong in the air and broke up a lot of Chennai City plays with his tackling.
Hitesh Sharma (7/10) - The former Mumbai FC man played behind the attackers in the midfield and was good on the ball. He scored a stunning strike in the first half when he beat the Chennai keeper from outside the box.
Sibongakonke Mbatha (8/10) - The diminutive South African was a threat on the right flank with his marauding runs utilizing his pace well to get past the Chennai defenders. He was always an option on the counter from ATK with his speed.
Zequinha (8/10) - The Portuguese winger had a productive game on the left flank as he continuously threatened the Chennai goal with his threatening moves. He got the second goal in the match for ATK with a great outside the boot finish to get the lead. He provided a sublime assist for the fourth goal scored by Robbie Keane to complete a good all-around performance.
Robin Singh (6/10) - The former FC Goa man was the target man in the box for the Kolkata side as they aimed to utilize his physicality and aerial prowess.
Robbie Keane (8/10) - The player-manager of ATK played a free role in the attack as he moved all across the box keeping the Chennai defenders on their toes. He created the goal for Zequinha with a great pass inside the box and also got his name on the scoresheet late in the second half with a well-taken finish.
Substitutes:
Bipin Singh (4/10) - The attacking midfielder came on to replace captain Robbie Keane in the 84th minute as ATK made the first change in the match.
Shankar Sampingraj - N/A - The defensive midfielder came on to replace Robin Singh in the lineup in the final five minutes.
Komal Thatal - N/A - The FIFA U-17 World Cup winger came on to replace Mbatha for the final minutes of the match.
Chennai City FC
Kabir T (5/10) - The Chennai City FC keeper had a tough time between the sticks as he was constantly called into action by the ATK attackers. He looked indecisive as a couple of errors led to goals for ATK.
Veniamin Shumeiko (6/10) - The defender had a tough task at hand dealing with the threat of Robbie Keane inside the box. He put in a lot of crucial tackles at the back but was not able to stop the ATK attacking juggernaut.
Dharmaraj Ravanan (5.5/10) - The loanee from FC Pune City played alongside Shumeiko in the backline and had a tough time as ATK attacked the Chennai goal with a lot of intent.
Sebastien Thangmuansang (5.5/10) - The right-back for the Chennai side had the uphill battle of keeping Zequinha in check and struggled throughout the match.
Donghyeon Kim (6/10) - The Korean midfielder operated all across the midfield and put in a lot of tackles as ATK dominated proceedings in the match.
Pradeep Mohanraj (6/10) - The midfielder played centrally for the Chennai side as he moved the ball across the park. He took a couple of shots on the goal from distance and tested the ATK keeper.
Edwin Vanspaul (6.5/10) - The right winger did well on the flank as he took on the ATK defenders and made good runs. He put in the cross into the box that was scored by Joachim for the equalizing goal at the end of the first half.
Soosairaj (7/10) - The Chennai City FC winger was the most dangerous player on the pitch as he made a lot of runs into the box cutting in from the left flank. He had a lot of chances at the ATK goal but could not score past Poirei.
Gaurav Bora (5/10) - The young midfielder struggled in the centre of the park as ATK maintained control over the match and did not allow Chennai much time on the ball.
Pandiyan Srinivasan (6/10) - The attacking midfielder operated up and down the park as ATK made Chennai work hard for the ball. He helped out the defence as well with his tracking back.
Jean Michael Joachim (6.5/10) - The French striker got Chennai equal on the scoreboard with a superb diving header from the cross put in by Vanspaul. He was a target man in the box for the I-League side with his commanding presence in attack.
Substitutes:
Romario (4/10) - The young winger came on in the second half as Chennai made some changes to the lineup in the second half.
Mashoor - N/A - Mashoor came on to replace Sebastian in the lineup for the final five minutes of the match.
