The strategy of Habas gained 4, Baljit’s red card spoiled Atletico de Kolkata’s Party !!

In 2 away matches 6 points could have placed AtK at top of the table.
There are reasons to praise strategy of AtK Coach Habas, when his team
played two back to back  away matches against legendary football
personality like Marco Materazzi’s  Chenniayan FC  and Zico’s FC Goa.
Like ‘Horses for Courses’ AtK played with such a composed and
disciplined defensive football. Lots of passes in the midfield and
funneling in defensive third. Though Goa was having India’s two best
wingers Mandar Rao Desai & Romeo Fernandez but Kolkata’s 4-2-3-1
formation with two wing back Augustine & Denzil and Central Midfield
 Borja & Gavilian as a blocker in Midfield was hardly giving any
option to create open space for Goa attackers. They began with single
striker Ian Hume and got a very early goal by Japanese Indian Izumi
Arata. There was a time when in the middle of  the second half
restlessness was seen in Zico’s body language  and his Plan- B was not
working. When Baljit Sahni reacted unnecessarily and did headbutt to
Gregory Arnelin, that caused Baljit direct red card and turning point of
the game as Goa utilise the chance properly. They were bit unlucky when
Lucio’s head hit the post and also Amrinder played a confident match
under the bar. In absence of Helder Postiga attack have become weaker
for AtK and now Baljit’s red card caused further damage.