Champions of the inaugural season Atlético de Kolkata kick-start their 2016 Hero Indian Super League campaign against reigning champions Chennaiyin FC at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Sunday. This will be ATK's first game in their new home and they'll be gunning to set the record straight after bowing out at the semi-final stage last season in dramatic fashion against Chennaiyin. The Super Machans, on the other hand, will be looking for a better start to the season than they had last year when they lost their opening fixture to ATK at home by a 3-2 score-line.
Head-to-head: The two sides have faced each other six times in the past two seasons with ATK boasting a better record of three wins to Chennaiyin's one. Hero ISL 2015 saw Kolkata inflict three wins on Chennai with one 3-2 win and two 2-1 victories. However, the only Chennaiyin FC win in the first leg of the last year's semis against ATK is perhaps the most telling result of them all given that its 3-0 margin set up a virtually unassailable deficit for ATK to overcome in the second leg. The two meetings between these two sides in Hero ISL 2014 ended in 1-1 and 0-0 draws.
Key battles:
Arnab Mondal vs Jeje Lalpekhlua
Arnab Mondal will have his work cut out on Sunday as he tries to contain his international team-mate Jeje Lalpekhlua from getting the better of him. The India international is the only domestic player to have been part of the ATK set-up since the first edition of the league and will once again be a first-choice starter at centre-back this season. His ability to sniff out danger with his intelligent positional sense as well as his no non-sense style of defending will be crucial to ATK's chances on Sunday.
The highest scoring Indian in the history of the league, Lalpekhlua will have to have a big season for the Super Machans this year if they are to retain their title. He enters his third season with the southern-outfit with the added responsibility of being their main goal-scorer. The 25-year-old will be looking to give his side the perfect start against ATK on Sunday as he looks to better his tally of six goals and three assists from last year. Jeje will also be looking to get his name on the scoresheet against ATK again just as he did in Chennai's 3-0 win in the first leg of the semis last year.
Borja Fernandez vs Raphael Augusto
The magnitude of Borja Fernandez's importance in ATK's midfield came to the surface last year when he was substituted from the first leg of the semis against Chennaiyin due to injury and didn't play in the second leg. An inspirational figure in midfield for Kolkata, his ability to smash the ball into the net from virtually anywhere on the pitch as well as his aggression in a tackle has been vital for Kolkata over the past two seasons. A true leader on the field, Borja will be expected to help his side bring back the trophy to Kolkata this year.
One of the best performers for Chennaiyin FC in Hero ISL 2014, Raphael Augusto will be itching to get started after missing out on the latter part of his side's title surge last year. The Brazilian midfielder completed 66 tackles and 588 passes in Hero ISL 2015. His positional sense and instinct for danger that often sees him in the right place at the right time is a major plus for Chennai. Augusto is also more than capable of seamlessly linking the midfield to attack and will be looking to stamp his authority on the game in Kolkata.
Iain Hume vs Bernard Mendy
One of Hero ISL's biggest names, Iain Hume enters the third edition of the league on the back of an 11-goal season for ATK. The Canadian striker will be raring to go again with the happy memories of his first home goal for Kolkata coming against Chennaiyin FC last season. He also netted a left-footed screamer in the second leg of the semis against the Super Machans last year and will be hoping to add to his already handsome goal tally against the southern outfit.
A commanding presence at the back for Chennaiyin, Bernard Mendy has become a fan-favourite for the Super Machans after awe-inspiring performances over the past two years for the side. His ability to deliver on both ends of the pitch as well as his leadership on the field was vital for Chennai in their title run-in and will once again be crucial for them this season.
Squads:
Atlético de Kolkata: Shilton Paul, Debjit Majumder, Dani Mallo Castro, Tiri, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Kinshuk Debnath, Prabir Das, Pablo Gallardo, Robert Lalthlamuana, Borja Fernandez, Ofentse Nato, Javier 'Javi' Lara Grande, Sameehg Doutie, Stephen Pearson, Bikash Jairu, Bikramjit Singh, Lalrindika Ralte, Sheikh Jewel Raja, Abhinash Ruidas, Bidyananda Singh, Helder Postiga, Iain Hume, Juan Belencoso
Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar, Duwayne Kerr, Bernard Mendy, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Nallappan Mohanraj, Eli Sabia, Eder Monterio, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Abhishek Das, John Arne Riise, Baljit Sahni, Hans Mulder, Manuele Blasi, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Dhanpal Ganesh, Davide Succi, Maurizio Peluso, Bedashwor Singh, Uttam Rai, Jeje Lalpekhlua
EmoticonEmoticon