ISL 2018-19: ATK 2-1 Jamshedpur FC - Hits and Flops
Jamshedpur FC and ATK faced off at the iconic Salt Lake stadium in what can be called as one of the most important matches in the Indian Super League as far as the race to the top 4 is concerned.
After the resume of action post the international break, both teams were coming into this match on the back of away draws - ATK against Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC against FC Goa.
As the race to the top four intensifies both ATK and Jamshedpur were looking at nothing less than a win to keep them in the contention for the knockout phase of the tournament. Even though a draw or a loss wouldn't halt all hopes for either team, it would surely make the process very difficult going forward.
ATK kicked off the proceedings as they made their intentions very clear early on in the match. High on attack and heavy in the midfield, ATK put the Jamshedpur defence in a spot of bother on multiple occasions as the combination of Everton Santos, Manuel Lanzarote and Edu Garcia proved to be too good for the Jamshedpur defence.
Continuous attacks resulted in ATK taking the lead as early as the 3rd minute of the game with Lanzarote putting a sublime finish past a diving Subrata Paul from a perfectly executed free kick. Exactly thirty minutes later, Edu Garcia was again caught outside of the box, resulting in Jamshedpur conceding their second goal from the set piece. Captain Manuel Lanzarote was again at the peak of the action as he beats Subrata Paul at the near-post courtesy a perfect finish from the freekick spot to double ATK’s advantage in the first half.
Having gone 2-0 down, Jamshedpur had much to think about in the second half but failed to turn the tables in their favour. Even though a consolation goal from Mario Arques did raise some hope for the Men of Steel, it proved to be too little too late for Jamshedpur.
The game ended 2-1 to ATK and further opened up the race for top 4 as both the teams are now tied at 20 points each.
Here are the top Hits and Flops from the game.
#1 Hit: Manuel Lanzarote
Having missed his last match because of a suspension, coach Steve Coppell showed no hesitation to replace the prolific Kalu Uche with captain Manuel Lanzarote in the starting XI. Lanza who started with Edu Garcia and Everton Santos in the attack posed multiple occasions of threat for the Jamshedpur defence throughout the match.
Lanza’s selection was further validated as he showed a moment of magic in the third minute of the game where he whipped past a sublime finish to a diving Subrata Paul on the near post.
Having gone 1-0 up quite early in the game, Lanza combined well with Edu Garcia and Everton Santos to create attacking opportunities for the home side.
The Kolkata Captain again showed a sign of brilliance in the 33rd minute of the game as he beat Subrata Paul yet again at the near post, but this time with an even picturesque finish to take his side 2-0 up in the game.
The quality of the second goal from Lanzarote surely ranks among the finest ones been scored in the competition this season.
Credits to this match-defining performance, Lanzarote was adjourned the ‘Hero of the Match’.