The second goal in any match is also important. The 36-year-old can play as centre half or as a holding midfielder and will be a steadying influence on a team that was prone to losing its way during games, despite playing attractive football. “I hope he contributes to the team’s success”.
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Atletico de Kolkata, to put simply, came, fought, and rode away with glory in the first season of the Indian Super League. The organisers got Bollywood bigwigs involved, and roped in cricket players admired by the 1.2 billion people. Chennaiyin will now have to forget the defeat as they look to challenge the title. More importantly, families attended the games. Dubai, Madrid, Sweden, Denmark and South Africa were a few of the destinations that the clubs travelled for their pre-season training. There is little doubt it is a first in the history of Indian football.
Asked about his partnership in attack with the West Bromwich Albion loanee Adil Khan, the 18-time capped Blue Tiger explained, “Having two strikers with different abilities would give us variety in attack and the link up play between us has been great”. They did a thorough research.
“All the players were trying to do the same keeping the ball on the ground”.
Prediction: Losing finalists They have enough experience and quality to reach the semis and then the showpiece. The club had staged a similar stunt the previous week in the run-up to the Manchester City-Chelsea match, when they trumpeted their recruitment of Florent Malouda.
Prediction: Seventh Marchena has already picked up an injury and with a long season ahead, the fitness of the Indian players and their star man will pose a serious question over their chances. He later watched his team warm up from the sidelines. Part owner of Chennaiyin FC Abhishek Bachchan read out the pledge in the presence of captains of Chennaiyin FC and Atletico De Kolkata and also introduced the home players. Naturally, the duo has opted for a team composition dominated by Britons.
Marquee player-coach: Nicolas Anelka The Frenchman had a disappointing first season as a player and returns to the franchise with boots in hand and his coaching hat on. One of the major acquisitions this year has been that of Portugal worldwide Helder Postiga, who plied his trade in the Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup in Brazil last year. The temperamental Ethiopian blew hot and cold for Kolkata last season, seemingly always close to blowing his top.
The second season of Indian Super League, the football league that kicks off on Saturday, has attracted non-traditional sponsors such as a State tourism board and e-commerce jewellery marketplaces.
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While investing in the senior team, they will do well to spend a portion of their investments in setting up academies for young talent.
