Kolkata: Atletico de Kolkata gave their city’s football-crazy fans a night to remember with a 3-0 drubbing of Mumbai City FC as the inaugural Hero Indian Super League (ISL) tournament kicked off in spectacular fashion on Sunday night.
It was Fikru Teferra who struck the first goal of ISL to give the home franchise a 27th minute lead to bring the 70,000 capacity crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium to their feet, while Borja Fernandez’s stunning volley from the edge of the box delighted as he made it 2-0.
And substitute Arnal Llibert gave the Kolkatans another reason to celebrate by turning home Fikru’s cross from the right to give a perfect ending to the opening match.
From the short passing of ATK to the trademark English-style long passes of MCFC, there was high quality football on display, something that was rarely seen at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan venue.
The iconic stadium might have witnessed such a big crowd in an East Bengal-Mohun Bagan clash, but the derby never experienced such motley spectators who varied from hardcore football fans to young families and waving youngsters.
It was a day of many firsts at VYBK as fans enjoyed quality football with replays from 17 giant screens that dotted the uppermost tier, something that had never previously been experienced in Indian football.
Teferra, a 28-year-old Ethiopian forward, scored his goal from a long through pass from ATK’s marquee player Luis Garcia and, before German defender Manuel Friedrich could intercept, brilliantly chipped over local lad Subrata Paul for the first goal.
The home team had the better share of chances and Spanish short passing skill was well evident in the side that has its affiliations with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
