ATK & Kerala Blasters Face-Off for The Second Time in ISL 2016 Final in 3 Years
Internet Desk: It will be an interesting final at Kochi on Sunday. There will be two persons who will be the last line of defense for both their teams. Talking about the goal-keepers Debjit Majumder and Sandip Nandy, both have done well to take their respective teams to the ISL 2016 final.
Playing in his first ISL, Debjit Majumder has been a revelation for Atletico de Kolkata. The Mohun Bagan goalkeeper has so far played 14 matches for his side. While 41-year-old Sandip has risen to the occasion by saving a crucial penalty shot of Memo against Delhi Dynamos FC.
Before going to ATK practice on Thursday, Debjit said,” I am not sure whether I would be a part of the playing XI. But if I play, Sandip Da will be my biggest rival in the field during the match. I will cheer for our forwards to score goals against him from my side.”
On being asked to comment, if he wants any suggestion from his mentor Sandip, the ATK goalkeeper added,” I won’t ask anything from Sandip Da. I have played well in this year’s ISL, while coach Jose Molina backed me a lot. Sandip Da guided me in my career and I am thankful to him. But I will fight with him to win this trophy.”
During 2010, they both have played for East Bengal in the I-League.
Praising Debjit a lot, Sandip said,”He has come a long way. His consistency in the ISL so far has stood out for his team. He is arguably the best amongst the upcoming goalkeepers.”
It will be the first ISL final for Debjit and Sandip. Nandy missed the final of the inaugural season due to an injury which he got in the second semi-final against Chennaiyin FC. While Debjit will also like to have a hand on the ISL trophy.
The Kerala goalkeeper said, “It was very disappointing for me to miss the final in the inaugural season, but I hope to find a place in the playing XI for Sunday’s final.”
This will be a battle of two outstanding Bengali goalkeepers who would be fighting it out to win their maiden title.
“He will fight for his own side, while I will try not to concede a goal for my team,” Sandip added.
Regarding the question about whether he was in pressure during the penalty shoot-out, Sandip told,” They played with 10 men and still we couldn’t win [in 120 minutes]. As I said before the refereeing was not up to the mark and when such a game goes to penalties the opposition’s morale goes up. As a goalkeeper, I tried my best to make the team win and I thank god because he was with us. Malouda, who was fantastic during the match and was a constant threat throughout the 120 minutes, ended up shooting over, which is unbelievable for a player of his caliber. I’m just happy that I could play my part in the win.”
Atletico de Kolkata defeated Kerala Blasters in their away match and Sandip Nandy came in as a substitute goalkeeper after the goal. This time he is hoping to play from the beginning of the match and wants to perform well for his franchise and win the cup.