A win for Kolkata over Pune today will make them the first team to guarantee a spot in the semis, whereas the Stallions will be desperate for their first win in six matches as they are yet to taste victory away from home this season
AGENCIES
KOLKATA
Atlético de Kolkata will be looking to cement a spot in the semi-finals when they take on FC Pune City in their Hero Indian Super League Season 2 encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday.
The hosts will look to continue their fine form that has seen them take 10 points out of the last 12. Pune, on the other hand, are still searching for their first away win this season and are on the opposite side of the form guide. The Stallions have managed just two points from their last five matches and that has jeopardised their semi-final chances. A win for Kolkata will make them the first team to guarantee a spot in the semis, whereas the Stallions will be desperate for their first win in six matches.
Tiri vs Adrian Mutu
Tiri has really made the centre-half spot his own in the absence of fellow Spaniard Josemi. One half of the league’s strongest centre-half pairing, Tiri has been all over the pitch for the defending champions. His 106 clearances for ATK is the most by any player from Kolkata. Comfortable in possession, he also has a passing accuracy of 82% while carrying the ball out from the back.
FC Pune City’s marquee player Adrian Mutu has been finding his feet for the Stallions lately. His has netted two goals for Pune so far. One an injury-time goal that earned his team a point and the other a brilliant free-kick, which is definitely a contender for the goal of the season. The Romanian hitman has looked sharp in the last few matches and is likely to be one of Pune’s most potent threats for the remainder of the season.
Sameehg Doutie vs Eugeneson Lyngdoh
One of the revelations of the season, Sameehg Doutie has taken Hero ISL 2015 by storm. The pacey South African has been at the centre of everything good about Atlético de Kolkata. His blistering pace has been a source of constant torment for opposition defences. Doutie has scored three goals and made five assists for ATK this season which is the second highest in the league.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh has been Pune’s most creative spark in midfield this year. Lyngdoh’s vision on the ball coupled with his technical ability has seen him don the role of playmaker for the Stallions this season. The 29-year-old has contributed two assists and two goals from midfield to the Pune cause in Season 2.
Iain Hume vs Roger Johnson
Iain Hume has picked up from where he had left off last season. In fact, the Canadian striker has already bettered his tally of last season by scoring six goals to go with his three assists this year. Hume’s also a threat in the air and has a relentless work ethic on the pitch which doesn’t offer opponent defences a moment’s respite.Roger Johnson has become integral in the Stallions back-line and can expect to have a busy day against the reigning champions who have found their shooting boots in the second half of the league stage. The Englishman has also made the most clearances (113), blocks (20) and interceptions (16) for Pune this year.
Form Guide (Last 5 matches)
Atlético de Kolkata: L-W-D-W-W
FC Pune City: D-L-D-D-L
Head-to-Head: FC Pune City drew at home and beat Kolkata 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium last season. Atlético de Kolkata have never beaten Pune and suffered a 1-0 loss against the orange army earlier this year.
Quotes:
"It is going to be a difficult game and we have to play with maximum intensity and we have to respect the opponents. We lost 0-1 against Pune (earlier in the season). We have to have maximum discipline and intensity in the game,"
Habas,ATK head coach
"They (ATK) have got two games left and we have got three. We are all even. Every game throws up a new scenario. ATK are in a very good run of form, in their own stadium. It’s a challenge we look forward to,"
Platt, Pune City head coach
