Antonio Habas is a combative character with a dogged streak in him. Atletico de Kolkata’s approach to winning matches reflects this philosophy. The ability to play within its limitations, imposed by the absence of key personnel (including the team’s top-scorer Fikru Lemessa), and retain its formation even under extreme pressure are the reasons for the side’s progress to the final of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Captain Luis Garcia, one of the finest passers in the league, leads a team adept at defending and restricting space for rivals to manoeuvre. FC Goa realised this harsh truth over two hard-fought semifinal legs, attacking with speed and skill only to run into a wall. Kerala Blasters is next in line when the inaugural final kicks off at the D.Y. Patil Stadium here on Saturday.
Garcia is proud of his side’s dour approach. “We are a difficult side to beat, and showed what we are capable of over the last two months. We were leading (the table) after the first 10 matches,” said the ex-Liverpool star and Spain international.
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He is carrying a hamstring strain, but has declared himself fit for the final after having opted out of the last-four clash against Goa. Habas managed to convey the message that ‘substance matters more than style’ and the players understand his line of thinking.
“I have tried to gel those with different cultures. We worked on it in pre-season enough times for the players to understand that they have to adapt to us, and not the reverse.”
No player is indispensible; when Garcia was forced to miss the semifinal and Habas fought dizziness in the dugout, Borja Fernandez wore the captain’s armband and guided the side to victory.
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Kerala Blasters, meanwhile, deserves some respect for hauling itself over the line against a rampaging Chennaiyin FC. The men in yellow have come a long way since starting off on a losing note — 1-0 to NorthEast United FC away from home.
Managed by marquee player David James, the side enjoys ball possession and the forwards like to express themselves with stunning goals. With Canadian Iain Hume as the classical striker, England’s Michael Chopra as the pointman, lanky Indian Milagres Gonsalves linking up effectively in the forward line, and midfielders Ishfaq Ahmed and Sushanth Mathew demonstrating confidence in finishing off moves, the Blasters have enough options to unlock rival defences. A stable backline lends solidity to the squad. David James could replace the brilliant Sandip Nandy for the final, given the stakes involved. The ex-England goalkeeper has given the impression of being a hands-on leader ready to accept responsibility of showing his teammates the way.
Asked about the possibility of playing in the final, James refused to comment. “I am confident of whichever team I pick; it will do its best and should be good enough to win the title.”
The Blasters drew the away tie and won the home leg 2-1 in the league phase. Kerala and Bengal boast a fanatical following for football; almost as if a divine hand wrote the script for the final act under the floodlights.