The Hero Indian Super League was won at the weekend by Atletico de Kolkata, when they beat the Kerala Blasters.
The score was still 1-1 after extra time, it went to penalties, and Kolkata won 4-3.
Mohammad Rafi scored for Kerala in the first half, but it wasn’t long before Kolkata equalised. Both goals came from corners. Kerala’s goal was quality, and Kolkata’s goal…well…if Henrique Sereno hadn’t have scored, he would have surely been awarded a penalty, as the Kerala defender was holding onto him.
Sachin Tendulkar was ever present in his yellow soccer top, supporting his side the Kerala Blasters.
Steve Coppell, coach/manager of Kerala, has worked wonders this year. After not getting a point out of the first three games, I must admit…did not look like they were going to fare very well. The fact they got to the final is a massive achievement.
As the game got longer, the heat really did start to tell on the players. Cramp was playing a major part in the game, especially in extra time.
The Indian Super League is energetic and direct soccer. Sometimes there is quality missing in front of goal and moving the ball quick to the forwards – which sometimes ends up looking like ‘playground soccer’ – but I must say it has been a real exiting season.
So make sure you tune into the Hero Indian Super League next year.
Look at Iceland, and look at what’s happening in China – In ten years India could be a major player in world soccer tournaments.
by Buford Balony
