A huge Gallic roar from the viewers as they finally witnessed some exiting matches this week. Both the teams of the matches have faced each other before. The result was the same, however, the techniques changed.
Atletico de Kolkata (1) - Northeast United FC (0)
Formation: 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2
We always look forward to the Eastern derby as this is the side of the country that has inbred football. Kolkata have been out of form lately. They defeated the Northeast when the teams last met in Guwahati. The result was still the same as Kolkata succeeded to pick up 3 points after 4 games. The game started with a rather shaky home team as the players looked struggling to establish their layout. Felipe tried a long shot but was wide off the right post. Rehenesh misjudged and moved forward. He soon realized his mistake and in the urgency to hold his position again, he fouled on Fikru. The goalie was booked for the action. Garcia missed a great opportunity. Rehenesh was out of place but the ball went over the post. That could have been a crucial 21st minute goal for the home team. Roy saved a good corner taken by Northeast. Yet another corner for the guests, taken by Koke and headed by Mtonga. Roy, however again saved his side. Massamba tried to direct the ball with his head and instead slammed into Garcia's back. He was booked for the action. Both the teams tried their luck but none could score as the referee blew half time's whistle. The other started with Fikru's off target shot. this was not expected from the Ethiopian. Garcia tried and the ball went above the crossbar. He again came into action as he scored from a ball that first touched Borja and then was passed by Jofre. Koke wasted a free kick that he drew from Baljit Sahni. The visitors lost confidence after Kolkata's goal. They repeatedly made mistakes in all the areas. Fikru's theatrical (he went down deliberately, at least we vote for that!). Later in the second half, Kolkata changed their technique and instead of looking for more goals, they guarded their half and kept the possession. Northeast failed to capitalise some amazingly near the post free kicks. Kolkata with a home victory!
Chennaiyin FC (3) - FC Pune City (1)
Formation: 4-3-1-2 and 4-1-4-1
Before the game started, we prayed for a different result than last time's draw. Yeah! God listens to us. This was by far the most thrilling match of the week or shall we say of the second round. The score remained nil till the end of the first half but we surely saw some great passes and crosses. 3 players were substituted during the first quarter due to injuries. Chennaiyin star player Elano Blumer and Gouramangi went off and Pune had to substitute Magliocchetti. Pune's keeper had to budge more as compared to the home teams keeper. Defence was alert and intercepted their visitors' passes with accuracy. The tempo of the game rose in the later half. First Dhana and then Valencia tried to score but Arindham quickly collected the ball. Gurung had unconvincing disposition. Dudu for Trezeguet. India's very own Balwant assisted Valencia for the home team's first goal. Valencia provided Pelissari with the ball but Arindham's reflexes saved the team. ISL's first own goal. A pass from Davide urged Djemba-Djemba to go for the goal. The only problem was that he pushed the ball inside his own team's net, (remember Marcello's own goal in FIFA World Cup's opening match). 1-1 now! Pelissari couldn't wait and scored to give the home time a lead again. Valencia picked up a hamstring injury and had to leave the turf for Maurice. During the course of three minutes stoppage time, Balwant again became the man with an assist that Jeje converted into a goal. Chennai won in spite some of their crucial players got injured.
These were two delightful games. Northeast adapted differently this time by marking Fikru, as last time it was Garcia who was on the radar while the Ethiopian played freely. For Chennai vs Pune, technically it was the home team that scored all the four goals. Pune could have exploited Chennai's injury crises but they failed to take any advantage of that. Chennai proved that they can manage without their star players as they play as a team and do not rely on limited players. Chennai won our heart!
Atletico de Kolkata (1) - Northeast United FC (0)
Formation: 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2
We always look forward to the Eastern derby as this is the side of the country that has inbred football. Kolkata have been out of form lately. They defeated the Northeast when the teams last met in Guwahati. The result was still the same as Kolkata succeeded to pick up 3 points after 4 games. The game started with a rather shaky home team as the players looked struggling to establish their layout. Felipe tried a long shot but was wide off the right post. Rehenesh misjudged and moved forward. He soon realized his mistake and in the urgency to hold his position again, he fouled on Fikru. The goalie was booked for the action. Garcia missed a great opportunity. Rehenesh was out of place but the ball went over the post. That could have been a crucial 21st minute goal for the home team. Roy saved a good corner taken by Northeast. Yet another corner for the guests, taken by Koke and headed by Mtonga. Roy, however again saved his side. Massamba tried to direct the ball with his head and instead slammed into Garcia's back. He was booked for the action. Both the teams tried their luck but none could score as the referee blew half time's whistle. The other started with Fikru's off target shot. this was not expected from the Ethiopian. Garcia tried and the ball went above the crossbar. He again came into action as he scored from a ball that first touched Borja and then was passed by Jofre. Koke wasted a free kick that he drew from Baljit Sahni. The visitors lost confidence after Kolkata's goal. They repeatedly made mistakes in all the areas. Fikru's theatrical (he went down deliberately, at least we vote for that!). Later in the second half, Kolkata changed their technique and instead of looking for more goals, they guarded their half and kept the possession. Northeast failed to capitalise some amazingly near the post free kicks. Kolkata with a home victory!
Chennaiyin FC (3) - FC Pune City (1)
Formation: 4-3-1-2 and 4-1-4-1
Before the game started, we prayed for a different result than last time's draw. Yeah! God listens to us. This was by far the most thrilling match of the week or shall we say of the second round. The score remained nil till the end of the first half but we surely saw some great passes and crosses. 3 players were substituted during the first quarter due to injuries. Chennaiyin star player Elano Blumer and Gouramangi went off and Pune had to substitute Magliocchetti. Pune's keeper had to budge more as compared to the home teams keeper. Defence was alert and intercepted their visitors' passes with accuracy. The tempo of the game rose in the later half. First Dhana and then Valencia tried to score but Arindham quickly collected the ball. Gurung had unconvincing disposition. Dudu for Trezeguet. India's very own Balwant assisted Valencia for the home team's first goal. Valencia provided Pelissari with the ball but Arindham's reflexes saved the team. ISL's first own goal. A pass from Davide urged Djemba-Djemba to go for the goal. The only problem was that he pushed the ball inside his own team's net, (remember Marcello's own goal in FIFA World Cup's opening match). 1-1 now! Pelissari couldn't wait and scored to give the home time a lead again. Valencia picked up a hamstring injury and had to leave the turf for Maurice. During the course of three minutes stoppage time, Balwant again became the man with an assist that Jeje converted into a goal. Chennai won in spite some of their crucial players got injured.
These were two delightful games. Northeast adapted differently this time by marking Fikru, as last time it was Garcia who was on the radar while the Ethiopian played freely. For Chennai vs Pune, technically it was the home team that scored all the four goals. Pune could have exploited Chennai's injury crises but they failed to take any advantage of that. Chennai proved that they can manage without their star players as they play as a team and do not rely on limited players. Chennai won our heart!
No comments:
Post a Comment