Mumbai City FC won their first two matches without conceding a goal, and although both victories were achieved by a single goal, coach Alexandre Guimaraes should be pleased with the clean sheets. Atletico de Kolkata are also unbeaten. Having drawn the opening game against Chennaiyin FC, the former champions bounced back in style to put it across Kerala Blasters.
"We are all quite pleased with the start to the season. It's a totally different feeling that the team and fans have. The echo from the other teams is also different; they are thinking this is going to be a different season for Mumbai City. It's good but we know that we have just started. In such a league, you have to stay alert. There is not much time to celebrate or cry. You have to be competitive always," said the Costa Rican coach who has made fans believe in the team again.
The visitors were full of praise for the league's pace-setters with coach Jose Molina insisting that the clash between the two teams with similar playing styles should be an interesting one.
"We know we are here to play against a strong team. They played two matches, won both, six points and two clean sheets. That's a very good beginning for Mumbai. We want to play our game (against Mumbai). We have similar styles and it will be an interesting match," said Molina.
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"There is no special plan (for Diego Forlan). I don't like to focus on one player. I think they have good players in attack, midfield and defence. I like my team defending as a team, together, and against a team, not one or two players. We know how to defend," said Molina.
The ATK captain's clever cross was flicked by a Ralte header that looped into top right corner as Mumbai goalkeeper Amrinder fumbled and the ball went in.
Soon it was Forlan who made the difference with his two freekicks resulting in Mumbai's two goals in nine minutes that helped them snatch a 2-1 lead within 19 minutes. The ATK surge was cut short much to the dismay of the home crowd.
ATK defence was caught napping from a Forlan free-kick that floated inside the box and India captain Sunil Chhetri header found Costa.
The Brazilian's launched a solid right footer that nestled into the far post with ATK's veteran goalkeeper looking clueless to make it 1-1.
Things heated up a lot here and the referee flashed the yellow card more than once in the space of a few minutes -- to Lalrindika Ralte (23rd) and L'aihsanga Ralte (31st)
Soon, ATK seized the momentum with Mumbai struggling for possession that saw Hume bring the match on 2-all with Doutie setting him up brilliantly.
Helder Postiga made his way through the centre and a foul from Ralte saw Atletico win a penalty in the dying minutes of the first-half and Hume was bang on target deceiving Amrinder with ease from his 45+2nd minute spotkick.
ATK also did not have first team regulars Abinash Ruidas, Javier Lara, Stephen Pearson and Pritam Kotal, in a weak defensive line-up that was evident when they conceded back to back goals in 10 minutes.