Roy Krishna and Hugo Boumous celebrate a goal (Photo credit: Twitter)2) Roy Krishna-Hugo Boumous duo Even before the season began, last year's finalists ATK Mohun Bagan emerged as one of the title favourites as many had predicted that the partnership between midfield general Hugo Boumous and star striker Roy Krishna would be pivotal to the team's success. And they were not wrong. ATK Mohun Bagan won their first game of the ISL 2021-22 season beating Kerala Blasters 4-2 and these two players were the stars of that win. Boumous scored as early as in the third minute with a sensational long-range strike and he sort of assisted the second goal when he sent Roy Krishna clear into the Kerala Blasters box with the keeper to beat. Blasters custodian Albino Gomes fouled Krishna and the latter converted the penalty. Their partnership looked deadly against Kerala and once again, Antonio Habas would bank on these two players to make a difference in the Kolkata derby.
Manolo Diaz (left) and Antonio Habas (right) (Photo credit: Twitter)3) Manolo Diaz vs Antonio Habas It would not be a battle between two teams but also one involving both the gaffers--SC East Bengal's Manolo Diaz and ATK Mohun Bagan's Antonio Habas. Both Spanish tacticians have different techniques of having their teams play the game. While Diaz relies on possession-based football and unpredictability in attack, Habas is mainly a pragmatic coach, depending on set-pieces, counter-attacks and individual performances to score goals. This contest would also be clash of tactics. Habas is a proven customer in the ISL, having won the league twice while Diaz is in his debut season. It would be interesting to see which Spaniard comes out on top.
Arindam Bhattacharya (Photo credit: Twitter)4) Arindam Bhattacharya in SCEB goal Arindam Bhattacharya celebrated with ATK Mohun Bagan last season as they defeated SC East Bengal in both fixtures of the season. This time though, he would be seen as an SC East Bengal player and protecting the goal for the Red and Gold Brigade. He swapped sides in the transfer window and put up a strong display in his side 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur FC in their first match this season. The Golden Glove winner from last season looks to make a statement, this time, from the other end.
Roy Krishna (Photo credit: Twitter)5) Roy Krishna is on a scoring streak Roy Krishna has been one of Indian Super League's best strikers and ATK Mohun Bagan would agree that they are indeed lucky to have a talismanic player like him. The Fiji striker scores consistently and last season, ended with 14 goals to his name. He had scored in both matches against SC East Bengal last season. Can he take his goalscoring streak against the Red and Gold Brigade to three games? Just five days are left for this iconic rivalry to unfold once again in the Indian Super League. Would ATK Mohun Bagan reign supreme once again or would SC East Bengal have the last laugh and register their first win over their city rivals in the competition? Stay tuned to find out!
(The above story first appeared on SociallyKeeda on Nov 22, 2021 11:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website sociallykeeda.com).
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