ISL 2016: NorthEast United 1-2 Atletico de Kolkata - 5 talking points
Atletico de Kolkata marched to the top of the table in the Indian Super League as a come from behind victory against NorthEast United at the Indira Gandhi Stadium at Guwahati secured all three points for the visitors. The hosts took a well-deserved lead in the first half as an inch-perfect cross by Nirmal Chhetri was met with a clinical header by Alfaro in the middle.
However, in spite of their dominance in the opening 45 minutes, the home side failed to put the game to bed and were made to pay dearly in the second half. The return of Helder Postiga to the Atletico side in the second half made all the difference as the Portuguese showed his class in the middle. Postiga dragged Kolkata back into the game and they were finally rewarded with a goal in the 63rd minute with Postiga himself finding the back of the net.
The visitors finally struck gold late as Belencoso scored his first goal in the ISL to secure all three points for ATK. Here are five of the biggest talking points from the game.
#1 Helder Postiga makes a marquee impact
Helder Postiga has struggled to stay on the field for much of his time in the Indian Super League. However, whenever he has been on, the Portugues has oozed class. Before being stretchered off with a season-ending injury last season, Postiga had gifted the Kolkata crowd with two magnificent goals in his 72 minutes on the pitch.
This season had started off on a bright note yet again when he helped produce ATK’s first goal of the season with a brilliant through ball. However, it all turned sour when another injury – this time to the rib saw him being sidelined for the last four games.
However, his impact on this one after coming on at half-time was everything Jose Molina would have wished for this Diwali and then some. The Portuguese put ATK firmly back in the game with his telling touches and terrific turns. Playing in the hole behind Belencoso, he along with Borja Fernandez and Steven Pearson took hold of the game.
Not only was his own play top notch; he made others around look a tad bit better. That’s something that’s rarely found.