ISL 2016: 5 players who will have the greatest impact on the final
It is a rematch of the final of 2014 Indian Super League. The only difference this time around is the venue. The DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai has been replaced by the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
The Kerala Blasters know which side the fans will be on, as they look for revenge on Atletico de Kolkata for that loss in 2014. Mohammad Rafique, who won the title for Kolkata two years ago, will be in the opposite camp this time.
For Kolkata, it is a chance to affirm their status as the most consistent team in the league while for the Blasters, this is about proving that last year was just a blip and they have well and truly recovered.
On an occasion like a final, very often, it is individual brilliance, one moment of inspiration that sets the two teams apart. On both sides, there is no shortage of players who can provide that spark. We take a look at five such players who could be the hero on the big day.
#1 Iain Hume
Over the three years of the ISL, there is no question that Hume has been the best player, by far. He has not disappointed this time either. After a slow start to the campaign, he hit form just as the tournament reached its business end. This season, there hasn’t been a more important contribution for Kolkata than his two goals in the first leg of their semifinal against Mumbai City FC.
That enabled Kolkata to take a tactical approach to the second leg, rest a lot of their important players and ensure that the entire squad stayed fresh heading into the final.
There is no denying that Hume is a man for the big occasion. He has scored in all three semifinal ties that he has played – none better than a sublime volley against Chennaiyin FC last year – albeit in a lost cause.
Hume has scored seven goals this season, but it is not just his goals that will concern Steve Coppell. He is the man who ties Kolkata’s attacks together and along with Helder Postiga and Sameehg Doutie, he will cause Kerala problems.
The biggest advantage for Kolkata when they attack is that Hume and Postiga never stay static. Both of them keep rotating their position, with one coming deep to receive the ball while the other plays on the shoulder of the last defender.
So, it will be important for Kerala’s defenders and their holding midfielders to communicate well and keep their concentration. Otherwise, there is little doubt that Hume will punish them.