ISL: FC Goa vs Atletico de Kolkata

It was an incredible game of football as two late strikes from Cavin Lobo sunk FC Goa to their second straight away loss of the season as last gasp efforts were not enough to help FC Goa get back in the game.FC Goa started well and after they got their goal, it felt as if they would be cruising through but solo effort from Cavin Lobo did not help their cause and helped FC Goa attain their third win of the season and consolidate on the lead at the top.Though the game saw some high quality football, there were moments of controversies and ugly sights which proved to be a black mark to the otherwise exhilarating game.

#1 Subashish Roy Chowdhury on the bench

In what came as a surprise even before the start of the game was the exclusion of Atletico de Kolkata first choice goalie Subashish Roy Chowdhury.

Subhashish has had an impressive start to the season and has pulled off some great saves to his credit. The former Dempo SC man, which now forms the domestic core of FC Goa, has been one of the standout keepers of the Indian Super League so far and would have been one of the first names on the teamsheet.

However with Luis Garcia going absent, the coach needed to shuffle things around, but not going ahead with Subhashish Roy Chowdhury came as a surprise to the fans and the experts alike. There was no question of a slight injury as well as the shot stopper occupied a place on the bench.

The decision could have come to backfire Habas as Apoula spilled a shot from Debrata Roy which so nearly ended in the back of the net. Apolua never seemed assure and was nervous throughout the duration of the game. Habas must thank his stars that all ended well.

#2 The Fikru- Gregory spat; bad signs for Kolkata

The clock had just hit the 10 minute mark and the Atletico de Kolkata striker Fikru already showed signs of frustration as he got himself into tussle with the FC Goa centre back Gregory and ended up headbutting him, which probably the referee missed as he did not book him. It was clearly a red card offence and Fikru should not have been on the pitch.

This was just the start as both of them got involved in a number of tackles and fouls throughout the first half. And it became only worse at half time as Fikru headbutted Gregory again and playacted as if it was the other way around. Fikru again avoided a booking and it was the second time he should have had the marching orders.

Though he calmed down a shade in the second half, there were still signs of fire between them and the FC Goa player and management seemed clearly agitated with the proceedings

If not for the top draw goals from Lobo, this topic would have been at the centre of all talking points and even now, FC Goa would be feeling hard done by as the management must feel that they should have been up against 10 men for most part of the game. Would be interesting to hear Zico’s remarks.

Atletico de Kolkata have seen 2 red cards in alst two games and this should have been their third straight game where they saw a red. There also have been a lot of fouls flowing in from the Kolkata outfit as they stand at the top of foul charts.

Habas will need to talk to his team and prevent such a situation in future matches, else he may find his side thin in the most important of games.

#3 Santos getting back into the groove

The former Arsenal man played a fair share of the game against North East United and showed signs of getting back to fitness and form.

To get him more involved in the game and make use of his experience and skill, Zico made him play in the centre and he has done well so far in a position which doesn’t naturally come for him.

Santos played the full 90 minutes and was the standout player for FC Goa. He not only struck one beautifully after he drove into the box to hit it past Apoula, he was the initiating point for most of the FC Goa’s threatening moves.

The Brazilian got to the end of two glorious chances, but his shots went just wide. Santos was also impreesive with his dangerous deliveries into the box. He provided the much needed impetus to the FC Goa outfit and was the driving force behind most of their dangerous looking runs.

This was not it, Santos also won the midfield battle for FC Goa against one of the best central midfield pairs in the tournament- Borja and Nato and dictated play for the home side.

#4 Dream Debut

Cavin Lobo was a name that was constantly coming up as one the exciting prospects in the upcoming ISL before the start of the season, but with Habas having kept him out for the first three games of Atletico de Kolkata, fans were waiting patiently to see him in action.

There was excitement when Lobo’s name was announced in the first 11 and he did not disappoint.

The game started well for the man as he clearly looked the only spark in an otherwise tired looking side and had a great shot early on in the game, but went wide.

Lobo was constantly engaged in the game and took good attacking positions to drive his team on and kept the pressure going on the home side. After a few attempts in the first 70 odd minutes, a golden chance came through for Lobo when Fikru played a ball over the defence to find the East Bengal man who then showed his composure to thump it past Seda and restored parity for the visitors in the process.

Just as everybody advised Kolkata to defend and be happy with a point, Lobo had other ideas as he quickly pounced on a loosely cleared ball off a free-kick which he met with his rocket left foot and into the top right corner to score the first ever brace for an Indian in the tournament and earn his side a big win.

#5 Goa missed their chances, Kolkata took theirs

After going ahead, FC Goa seemed in clear ascendency and took control of the game. They had a few chances at the end of first half to double the lead, but failed to convert.

Second half saw Kolkata trying to get back into the game, but Goa slowly and steadily got back control and attacked at will. FC goa created two clear cit chances, but found themselves being inches wide of getting the second. Just as the proceedings were smooth for Goa, Atletico de Kolkata took a chance that fell their way in style with debutant Cavin Lobo getting thing back to even around the 71st minute mark.

Getting more impetus now to go and score, FC Goa kept on pressing, but gave away an unnecessary free kick in a good position from which Kolkata got their second as Lobo pounced on an improperly cleared ball and getting the visitors a win.

FC Goa changed things around and didn’t shy away from going all out in order to get something from the game, but despite creating numberfolds more chances than Atletico de Kolkata, they found themselves trailing and as the game panned out, on the losing side.

Kohli put it beautifully adding light to the above statements: “This is sports for you. We had several chances, we did not take ours’. They made the most of the chances they had and emerged as winners,” said the FC Goa co-owner.