ISL: Atletico de Kolkata 3-0 Mumbai City FC - 5 talking points

Kolkata’s players celebrate the third and final goalAfter much waiting and putting up with Priyanka Chopra’s annoying histrionics in the opening ceremony, we finally got down to the football and it was the hosts who emerged triumphant, rather comfortably at that in the opening match of the inaugural Hero Indian Super League. Atletico de Kolkata ended up big winners with a resounding 3-0 victory over fancied Mumbai City FC to get their campaign off to a flying start. As the home side roared to victory in this opener, these were the five major talking points:

#1 Subhasish outshines Subrata

Subrata Pal had a very average outing

This game saw two India goalkeepers go head to head against each other in Kolkata’s Subhasish Roy Chowdhury and Mumbai’s Subrata Pal. And it was Subhasish who emerged with his reputation enhanced at the end of the game. Subhasish, who has 4 India caps to his name, had a very good game and put in a very confident showing. It reflected in his demeanour as he bore a wide smile that got broader as the match went on and his side progressed from strength to strength.

Though Kolkata emerged from the game with a clean sheet, Subhasish had to make a few important saves that in the context of the game were crucial. The more experienced Subrata (57 caps) in contrast looked shaky and was at fault for Kolkata’s first goal. He was definitely outshone by his compatriot today.