Atletico de Kolkata are the first champions of the ISL
The first champion has been anointed in the Indian Super League after over two months of football action and it was Atletico de Kolkata who walked away with the grand prize after beating Kerala Blasters in yesterday’s final in Mumbai. The game itself stayed true to expectation as a grind-fest as has been customary in games involving Kolkata this season. In the end, Kolkata’s late rally sealed the deal for them. Here we attempt to look at how the game went from a tactical point of view. Line-Ups Kerala adopted the same shape as they’d done for the second leg of their semi-final against Chennaiyin FC going 4-1-3-2 with Mehtab Hossain in the deep-lying midfield role. Iain Hume and Michael Chopra started up front in keeping with the trend with the most notable change in the side being captain and player/coach David James returning between the posts in place of Sandip Nandy. Kerala had gone with a 4-4-2 in the first leg of the semi-final which they won 3-0, but owing to the stage of the competition decidedly went the cautious route.
Line-ups
Atletico too showed few surprises going in with the tried and test 4-2-3-1 with Ofentse Nato and Borja Fernandez sitting in front of the front four. The duo had been excellent in the lead up to the final having played a key role in their run to the final by protecting the back four and making it tough for opponents to break them down. No Fikru Teferra for the final meant a place for Mohammad Rafi as the lone striker up front. Captain andmarquee player Luis Garcia had to contend with a place on the bench. Tactics Kerala generally over the course of the tournament have been a team that don’t necessarily go full throttle on attack. Perhaps the lone exception to that came in their home leg of the semi-finals. Chennai almost pulled off a miraculous comeback, but guess James went in with the same formation knowing that he was going up a defensive-minded team against Kolkata and that his team would probably be doing more of the attacking. The two forwards were testament to that as James perhaps hoped to get a goal, maybe two through the industry of Hume and Stephen Pearson and use the presence of Mehtab to defend effectively. Kolkata coach Antonio Habas has been one of the most tactical coaches in the ISL and he opted to go with a 3-5-2 in the second leg of his team’s semi-final against FC Goa. The move did not work that well as they came under pressure from Goa which forced him to tweak the line-up and the outfit that he arrived at is what he retained for the final. He chose to utilitze winger Jakub Podany as a traditional left-back in the back-four with Kingshuk Debnath on the right. A big part of Atletico’s plan, not for the first time, was safety first and make sure that they defend their goal. Borja (who led the league in tackles made) and Nato have been brilliant in ensuring that and that was likely why Garcia too was held back to bring on against tired legs. Final Play Kerala started the better after a high-tempo opening from both sides. Kolkata were more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure and though Kolkata ended up having more possession (51% to 49%), it was Kerala who did much of the attacking. They had more shots and also earned more corners through possession. Pearson and Hume were the key channels through which Kerala attacked and Apoua Edel Bete was busy once again in goal for Habas’ team. Chopra playing with Hume also enabled Kerala to test that Kolkata defence a bit more and it was those two who had the best chances of the match.
Mohammed Rafique (far left) scored the game winner at the death for Kolkata
Hume’s shot was tipped wide in the 37th minute and Chopra in the second half had a great chance, but he once again found Edel Bete in the way. Kerala dominated for much of the second half too and were the more aggressive. Borja was given the responsibility of controlling the tempo for Kolkata, as he led the odd foray out every now and then, but for the most part they were willing to buckle in and defend. And they looked comfortable barring the odd chance created by Kerala. Kolkata were content to slow down the pace and rely on set pieces to try and mount some sustained attack. Verdict Overall, the game was a tight, cagey affair as could have been expected from two teams who grinded their way through the campaign and were not exactly teams high on flair. Kerala did most of the running with the ball and created a few good openings, but did not have the beating of the keeper. Kolkata did what they do best in soaking up the pressure and were comfortable to hold their line and maintain good defensive shape, looking to hit on the counter. And the sucker punch came, cruelly late for Kerala, but that’s football and the tactical plan of Habas to contain and nick it in the end paid off once again.
It was considered a new dawn for Indian football when the Hero Indian Super League was formulated, with the tournament supposedly carrying the broader vision of improving the standard of football in the country and enabling local footballers to broaden their skill sets. The tournament has so far attracted a lot of interest from football lovers across the country with good numbers in attendance in the stadiums as well, as hooked to the action on television and other mediums. Now with the ISL popular, what of the elephant in the room that is the I-League, the incumbent football league of the country? A merger of the two leagues is the best solution to the problem and here’s five good reasons why this would be best for business: #1 A single unified league
A country should have only one established league thereby making it a single point of reference as far as football is concerned. There can be different tiers (first division, second division etc.), but there cannot be two competing leagues. The only thing it does is fragment the attention the sport gets between the traditional and new leagues. We’ve already seen an example of this in India before – the Indian Premier League (IPL) jostled with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in the initial years, hockey also saw the fragmentation with two governing bodies and many different leagues over the years. Moreover, since the ISL has the blessing of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the governing body would do well to lay down the hammer and merge the two competitions to ensure a single, strong, unified league, which is best for the country. #2 Scattering of talent
Another fallout of competing leagues is the scattering of talent that happens. The rather awkward predicament that it puts a lot of the players in is one that we don’t want to see where a few of them would be stuck in the i-League and others in the ISL. Also, if the ISL continues to attract the better foreign talent, then the I-League will die a slow death thanks to cannibalization. So, the merger would address a major issue in ensuring that there is a single umbrella under which the Indian players play with no clashing obligations while also making sure that the knock-on effect from the best of foreign talent is infused into one league. It would also allow scouting for the national teams to happen at once. #3 Leveraging of resources and infrastructure
There are a few things that are very obvious when you look at the two leagues. The ISL has the money and the pulling power from the stars (the ones that draw eyeballs in India) and crucially it wins the television battleground, with Star Sports heavily involved. No matter how good a product or offering, it is useless if it is not carried to the masses and in this respect, the ISL is well served. Combine this with the strengths and the constituency that the I-League has built up over the years and the two leagues can draw on each other’s strengths when they combine. Branching out and reaching each corner of the country is something the ISL will have to do, but that job will be much easier with the established credentials of the I-League in tow. #4 Building a fanbase
Now that football fans in the country have sampled higher level of football in the ISL, rather than throng in droves to the new I-League season, they would be most unwilling to even look in it’s direction. Its like how once you’ve tasted the fine wine, you don’t go back to the lower grades. Two leagues would create a situation where the interest in football would be on and off during a year, resulting in crests and troughs. Combining the two will help fan bases to grow, allowing the newer ones to connect with the old loyalists and thus have larger distribution of fan pockets. The increased number of teams and multiple representatives from the same region will help boost the product and help establish a full-fledged football season and avoid a clash of dates. #5 Knockout/ league to full blown league
Right now, the ISL is designed in a fashion where the top four teams qualify for the semi-finals and then there is a grand final, making it something of an exhibition showpiece. So the team that performs best in the league may not necessarily be the ultimate winner which is harsh in a way. You might say that the IPL does the same, but the situation is not the same. T20 is but one form of cricket and it is the shortest form and hence it is alright that the tournament lasts for only two months. A football season on the other hand, should stretch throughout the year and be a test of endurance as well as skill where the top team at the end of the total gamut of home and away games is the ultimate winner.
A simple umbrella is often all you need to protect yourself from the rain. It will keep the droplets away, ensuring that you stay nice and dry under it, unaffected enough to carry on with your work. But sometimes, when it rains, it pours, and there is simply nowhere to go as you are washed away in a deluge once the skies have opened.
For Mumbai City FC, the first four games of the Hero Indian Super League have gone something like that. They currently sit in seventh place in the table with three points, having lost three of their four games, with only FC Goa below them.
They were part of the inaugural match of the tournament inside the famous Salt Lake Stadium against Atletico de Kolkata, which ended in a 0-3 defeat. They came home for their next game and rebounded in fine fashion with a sparkling display against FC Pune City, winning 5-0. But just when it looked like the win would kick-start their campaign in a major way, NorthEast United FC rained on their parade when they came to Mumbai and beat them 2-0.
Another away fixture lay in wait for Mumbai after that as they travelled to the east coast for their fourth game. Unfortunately for them, the result was another loss as they returned after getting beaten 5-1 by Chennai.
In the eye of the storm is Head Coach Peter Reid, of Sunderland and Leeds United fame. The former England midfielder has been witness to the action from the sidelines as he’s watched his team suffer early setbacks in the campaign.
However, he is a man on a mission. And he is keen to set right his team’s course and get them back into the thick of things.
Reid has the experience of managing in the top flight of English football and has been in situations before where he’s had to get his team out of a pickle. As interim manager of Leeds, he oversaw a difficult period trying to avoid the drop in the 2002-03 season. With Sunderland, he guided the team to promotion into the Premier League twice.
The ISL presents Reid with new challenges in a new territory, but he is determined to make his mark. Injury problems
Mumbai, of course, have not had the best of times with injuries, resulting in an unsettled team. Their marquee player, Freddie Ljungberg, was not match fit for the first game and came on for a brief 25 minutes in the second game at home. He once again started on the bench in game three, but was introduced at half-time with his team needing a boost. Sadly, about 15 minutes later, he pulled up in agony with a torn hamstring and was forced off. It is very unlikely we will see him again this season for Mumbai.
Injuries to key players like Freddie Ljungberg has not helped their cause
“Freddie’s hamstring is gone and with my experience in football, tears in hamstrings are very difficult injuries and I don’t think it is good for us”, said Reid after the game against NorthEast United.
To go with that, the player he named as captain of his team, India international Syed Rahim Nabi, picked up an injury inside 20 minutes of the opener against Kolkata and had to be taken off. Brazil’s Andre Moritz, who netted the first hat-trick of the tournament in their 5-0 win over Pune and who has been one of the most impressive players so far for Mumbai, played with a bandaged head against NorthEast United after suffering a fall in the bathroom; he didn’t last beyond the first half.
And of course, French striker Nicolas Anelka was forced to miss the first three games owing to his suspension following a controversial celebration last season while playing for West Bromwich Albion.
All in all, there’s been a lot for Reid to contend with as far as player availability is concerned. Discipline and concentration
Another front on which Reid has been forced to do a lot of firefighting is on the disciplinary front. That is not in reference to any misconduct on the part of the players, but merely alludes to their on-field discipline and concession of fouls and bookings.
“I am an optimist by nature, but if there is a worrying factor that I have, it is that we are putting ourselves under tremendous pressure by conceding stupid free kicks,” bemoaned Reid in a press conference before his side took on Chennai.
Mumbai have failed to maintain consistent levels of concentration
In the 0-2 reverse match against NorthEast United, Mumbai lost Ljungberg to a hamstring injury after Reid had made all his substitutions, thus rendering them down to 10 men. To make matters worse, central defender Pavel Cmovs went in for a rash challenge just minutes later to pick up his second yellow and he was given his marching orders, taking them down to nine men. And once that happened, they were well and truly out of the game.
“Going down to nine men against NorthEast United was the team’s own fault. We must be more disciplined in terms of not committing the fouls,” Reid said.
He has also been attempting to get his team to keep up their concentration levels throughout the course of a game; they have suffered several mid-match lapses which have cost them points.
“Bajegi seeti, udega ball, Come on India, let’s Football”… echoes Star Sports’ video ad on the upcoming big-money extravaganza that is the Hero Indian Super League.
After having previously touched cricket, badminton and kabaddi, the franchise-based league in India visits the domain of football, a sport where interest levels in the country have zoomed considerably in the last decade.
With eight teams in the fray and with an array of powerful and influential backers behind it, the ISL aims to deliver a fillip to football in India.
As with any sporting contest, rarely is an event possible without a team from India’s ‘Maximum City’, Mumbai. Representing India’s largest metropolis is Mumbai City FC.
Move over Manchester City, for ‘MCFC’ is going to come to denote a team closer home. Home Venue: D.Y. Patil Stadium in Nerul, Navi Mumbai Capacity: 55,000. Mumbai City FC Squad Goalkeepers: Ishan Debnath, Subrata Paul, Andre Pereira Defenders: Deepak Mondal, Peter Costa, Raju Gaikwad, Syed Rahim Nabi, Pavel Cmovs, Ilias Pollalis, Johan Letzelter, Manuel Friedrich Midfielders: Asif Kottayil, Lalrin Fela, Lalrindika Ralte, Ram Malik, Francisco Luque, Jan Stohanzl, Tiago Ribeiro Forwards: Abhishek Yadav, Nadong Bhutia, Rohit Mirza, Singam Subhash Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh, Diego Nadaya, Nicolas Anelka
The Mumbai outfit has managed to acquire some of biggest names available.
Former Arsenal legend Frederik Ljungberg is their marquee player and he will have a former teammate by his side in journeyman striker Nicolas Anelka, who looks to be a top acquisition. To go with the former Arsenal duo, the team also has in its ranks defender Manuel Friedrich, a former Germany international, who played his best days with Bayer Leverkusen and was even signed up as cover by Borussia Dortmund last term.
Amongst the younger internationals in the team are defenders Ilias Polallis and Pavel Cmovs with the latter being a regular at the junior levels for the Czech Republic. Experienced French full-back Johan Letzelter, who has played in almost every division of French football, adds to Mumbai’s impressive collection of defenders, making for an extremely solid back-line.
But it is not just the collection of international players that has the Mumbai club buzzing. The team seems to have made some great picks with the choice of domestic talent as well.
Guarding the goal posts will be India keeper Subrata Pal who was among the most expensive local players in the auction. He is coming off a spell with Danish Superliga club FC Vestsjaelland where despite signing on with the main squad he never got a first-team opportunity, featuring only in a few reserve games. So, he will be keen to make an impression once again.
The highly versatile and talented Syed Rahim Nabi will also don the Mumbai colours in the first season of ISL. A match-winner on a regular basis both at club and national level, the Mohammedan man will be looking to show just exactly why he got top billing in the auction.
The other notable Indian faces are Ram Malik and Lalrindika Ralte. Malik, a huge Liverpool fan, is an exciting young winger while East Bengal and India man Ralte, considered one of the best young players in the country, will be a huge attacking threat from midfield. Local boy Raju Gaikwad with 22 national caps to his name is also part of the fray. India veteran Deepak Mondal will be a reassuring presence at the back for the team. Likely XI: Subrata Pal; Deepak Mondal, Manuel Friedrich, Pavel Cmovs, Syed Rahim Nabi; Freddie Ljungberg, Asif Kottayil, Jan Stohanzl, Lalrindika Ralte; Diego Nadaya, Nicolas Anelka
Mumbai City FC – Best XI
Coach
There’s an English and Premier League connection in the coaching department for Mumbai with Peter Reid as Head Coach, ably assisted by Steve Darby.
Reid has under his belt erstwhile managerial stints at Manchester City, Sunderland and Leeds United. He also had a one-year stint as manager of the Thailand national team between 2008-09. Reid won LMA Manager of the Year award in 1996 after he helped Sunderland stave off relegation in the First Division before eventually guiding them to promotion into the Premier League.
Mumbai City FC Coach Peter Reid
"I have a philosophy and I like to use the wingers. But I have to look at my players and play according to strength. If I have players who pass the ball, then we pass the ball. But in these conditions (heat and humidity), we need to adapt well, not pass the ball excessively," – Reid in a recent interview.
He also went on to add in that interview, "I am coming here to coach players I don't know. Obviously I know Nickolas Anelka, I know Freddie Ljunberg, but the Indians, I am learning. It is a new league, it's exciting. The players are getting to know me."
While Reid may be relatively new to Indian football, his assistant Steve Darby isn’t, having served as the manager of Mohun Bagan in 2011. Besides management, Darby has also been a pundit with initially the BBC and later ESPN Star Sports in Asia. It is a reunion for Reid and Darby who worked in similar capacities with the Thai national team as well.
Team Owners
Owner Ranbir Kapoor (middle) with the players at the team launch
Mumbai City FC has two very prominent owners in Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and Mumbai based chartered accountant Bimal Parekh. Ranbir is obviously one of the top male actors in the industry at the moment, but Parekh too has his connections with B-town as he happens to manage the investment portfolios of some of Bollywood’s biggest stars including Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif.
Ranbir has been known to be an ardent football fan since childhood and famously appeared with many of India’s top cricketers in a series of Pepsi commercials a few years ago with the tagline “Change the Game”, in a bid to increase the popularity of football. Along with Parekh, he now owns a talented team of individuals who will now look to take that message forward and do their best in helping the game of football grow farther and wider in the country in years to come.
Nothing symbolizes Mumbai better than its iconic local trains that carry millions of people across the city every single day. And it is no wonder that it finds a place in the logo of Mumbai City FC as the owners wish the franchise to serve the people in the very same way, just like the city’s locals, as a vehicle of entertainment, spreading the joy of football.
How far will they go?
It is just the inaugural season, but at the outset Mumbai look to be one of the teams well-placed to do well.
One of the reasons is that they look to have strength in depth in every position, an important component when it comes to winning championships. And it’s not just the depth, the assembly of talented players at their disposal is also a huge factor.
They have made some smart acquisitions not just with the foreign players, but also the Indian ones. With their senior foreign players, one thing of note is that they haven’t been away from the game for too long. Friedrich, as mentioned, was with Dortmund as of last season and likewise Anelka, who cancelled his contract with Premier League side West Bromwich Albion after the controversy over his ban for following a supposedly incendiary goal celebration. Ljungberg too was involved in football as recently as 2012 when he was involved with Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse.
They also have a nice assortment of players from the Indian stable including plenty from the national set-up. Pal, Nabi, Ralte and Gaikwad are all some of the best players from the Indian stable and this combination of a strong domestic core to augment their international stars is what makes Mumbai a formidable outfit.
Nicolas Anelka has been in good touch in the warm-up games
Reid himself believes he has the wherewithal to take his team to the title, exclaiming in a recent interview with Goal.com, “You wouldn’t want to enter a competition and not want to win it. It’s going to be tough, I know that. And everybody else is going to try to win it. But I think we have got enough quality to put on a good display. The unfortunate thing in football is that you can't be sure about these things. Or I would be a billionaire by now!"
And it’s not just hopefuls within the city and their coach who have their sights set firmly on the prize, others around the league seem to think so too. World Cup winner and Chennaiyin FC player/coach Marco Materazzi believes Reid’s side are firm favourites to win it all in the first edition of ISL.
So far they’ve even lived up to their billing, staying perfect with four wins out of four in their pre-tournament friendlies with their main players seeming to be in good touch.
The journey begins this Sunday for Mumbai City FC as they travel to the Salt Lake City Stadium in Kolkata to take on Sourav Ganguly’s Atletico de Kolkata in the season-opener of the ISL. There will be pressure and there will be a million eyes watching, but they look to be prepared to put together an impressive first season.
It will be “Bajegi seeti, Mumbai City ki seeti...” Stay connected with Mumbai City FC’s exploits on their Facebook page and Twitter and Instagram handles. Also be sure to watch out for some highlights and other videos on their YouTube channel.
