Mumbai: If catches win matches in cricket, a steady goalkeeper – denying the most powerful shots – does the same in football. There is a saying that first impression is the last impression. They were being termed ‘safe’, ‘defensive’ but in the end, Atletico De Kolkata (ATK) finished the inaugural edition of Indian Super League (ISL) how they started – with a bang. With Edel standing like a rock between the posts, the Sourav Ganguly co-owned team beat Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) 1-0 in the dying minutes to clinch the title here at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday.
Missing the service of main striker Fikru Teferra, Antonio Habas’ boys kept the defense tight throughout, only to snatch a goal in the 90th minute. Mohammed Rafique converted a Jakub Podany corner and became the hero for ATK.
However, it was Edel who made the difference. He kept denying Kerala their sitters. Otherwise, the deadly combination of Michael Chopra and Iain Hume almost sealed the fortune for the team from South India. In the 41st minute, he dived and kept Hume’s bullet out, in the 79th minute – Chopra’s shot along the turf was held by him, and what he did in the 83rd minute turned many heads. Chopra’s shot from point blank range saw Edel dive to his left and brush it aside.
The ISL emerging player of the tournament award went to Kerala’s Sandesh Jhinghan while Elano Blumer (Chennaiyin FC) won the golden boot. The fittest player of the league award went to Mumbai City FC’s Jan Stohanzl.
KBFC player-manager David James said: “We created chances. At times, both the teams were tight. But we kept creating chances till the final whistle. Frustration cost us.”
“But Sachin Tendulkar told us that we won hearts. Another positive from this tournament is having the fan base. I am stunned at the support we received here today as well. ATK had the best 11 players but we had the best team,” he added.
Rafique, who came in as a substitute for Mohammed Rafi in the last 20 minutes, said: “Everyone has a dream of playing the final, I worked hard and the coach saw that and gave me this chance. When I came on, those 20 minutes mattered the most to me.”
Surpisingly, ATK’s marquee player Luis Garcia warmed the bench.
The official audience for the match was approximately 42, 840.
ATK received a cash prize of Rs 8 crore, KBFC picked up Rs 4 crore. The semifinalists, FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, received 1.5 crore each.
