ISL 2015: Kerala Blasters 2-3 Atletico de Kolkata - 5 Talking Points

Atletico de Kolkata won yet another away game as they beat the Kerala Blasters 3-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Tuesday night. Atletico’s lead was erased twice as Antonio German grabbed a brace, scoring in each half. But it was Arata Izumi’s last-minute winner that saw the visitors claim all three points.Here are the five major talking points from the game.All images courtesy of ISL.

#1 Atletico de Kolkata\'s defensive changes fail to make an impact

Antonio Habas made defensive changes for Atletico de Kolkata, who had not kept a single clean sheet in the eight games they have played before today’s game. And conceded again today, but played with a back three of Denzil Franco, Ofentse Nato and Tiri. Rino Anto, who has been in and out of the team, started as a wing-back along with Nallapan Mohanraj.

While Mohanraj opened the scoring for Atletico de Kolkata from a Jamie Gavilan cross at the back post, it was Denzil Franco who was responsible for Kerala Blasters’ first goal. Franco made a reckless challenge on Josu inside the penalty box in the 42nd minute and conceded a penalty which was converted by Antonio German.

Atletico de Kolkata’s defence was also responsible for the second goal German scored, as both Franco and Nato had the opportunity to prevent the English winger from scoring.

#2 Super sub Antonio German

Antonio German, a youth product of the Queens Park Rangers academy, was left on the bench by manager Terry Phelan, but was later brought on in the 36th minute after former Arsenal man Sanchez Watt had to leave the field due to an injury.

The 23-year-old, who last scored a goal for National league side Aldershot Town in England, came close to scoring within a couple of minutes after coming on from Dagnall’s cross. Although German who did well to chest the ball inside the penalty box, he couldn’t keep it on target.

But he had a chance in the 42nd minute to rectify his previous error after Josu won Kerala Blasters a penalty, and German made no mistakes in converting from the spot. German leveled the score again in the 84th minute just a minute after Arata Izumi scored for Atletico de Kolkata.

Pulga’s cross fell to German off Nato, and he did well to put it past Arminder Singh in a crowded penalty box.

#3 Kerala Blasters dominated the game after conceding the first goal

Kerala Blasters responded brilliantly after they conceded the opening goal of the game, which was scored by Nallapan Mohanraj. The home side started dominating the game and came close to scoring several times.

Mohammed Rafi, Chris Dagnall and Antonio German particularly impressed for the Blasters. Chris Dagnall did well to drive Atletico de Kolkata defenders towards himself while creating chances for German and Rafi. German had a brilliant opportunity to put Kerala Blasters ahead in the 55th minute but forced a top save from Arminder Singh.

But the attacking trio of Kerala Blasters were not supported enough from their midfield, with Hossain and Ahmed not involving themselves much in the game. Josu, who won his team the penalty, did well before he was substituted for Joao Coimbra.

All their efforts paid off in the second half when German scored in the 85th minute, but Atletico de Kolkata’s Arata Izumi spoiled the party for the home side.

#4 Late drama sets up thrilling finish

Just when we thought the game was going to end in a 1-1 draw, it all changed in the 84th minute. Arata Izumi, who came on in the 66th minute, gave Atletico de Kolkata the lead in the 84th minute after he got past Bheke and his cross ended up inside the goal.

But Atletico’s lead didn’t last long as Antonio German scored his second goal of the night to level things for Kerala Blasters just seconds later. Pulga’s cross fell to German off Nato, and he did well to put it past Arminder Singh in a crowded penalty box.

Once again, it looked like the game was going to end in a 2-2 draw, but it was Arata Izumi, who scored his fourth goal of the tournament and gave Atletico de Kolkata the lead again in the dying seconds of the game. Doutie’s low cross inside the box fell to Izumi, who made no mistakes putting it past Bywater to earn his team three crucial points.

#5 Despite win, Atletico were toothless in final third

Atletico de Kolkata have looked toothless in the final third throughout the tournament, and it was no different today, The lack of creative players in attack have cost them a few games.

Despite moving the ball forward often, in the final third, they look clueless with it and often opt for the odd cross hoping for someone to convert it. It is not that they have enough players inside the opposition penalty box to convert the chances, but that always looks like the easy option for the Atletico attack.

Except for Jamie Gavilan, the likes of Sameegh Doutie and Mohammed Rafique have disappointed. They have not created enough opportunities for Iain Hume to score. All that might change if they have their star players back from injury, and the introduction of Arata Izumi showed just that today as the Japanese-born Indian footballer came on in the 66th minute to score two late goals.