Atlético de Kolkata to play for the Indian Super League title

A 55,000-capacity cricket ground in Mumbai will be the setting for the Indian Super League Final which on midday on Saturday will pit Atlético de Kolkata, an Indian subsidiary of the Spanish champions, against Kerala Blasters. The two teams were the best two teams in the overall regular season and in the play-offs which followed. The organisers of the ISL have planned a spectacle to find the winner of a tournament that, for the past few months, has brought together a major cast of veteran stars.

There will be first-level representation from Atlético Madrid. The Spanish champions’ CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, director of football José Luis Pérez Caminero and midfielder Koke will be in the stands supporting their Indian team, who are in a search of a title that would give greater cache and media coverage to this Atleti bet on football in India.

The DY Patil Stadium, a cricket stadium which was opened six years ago, has been used during the ISL season to host the matches of Mumbai City and it will once again host a football match to decide the overall champion of the tournament. Both Atlético de Kolkata and Kerala came alive in the semi-finals against two of the best teams from the regular season, Chennaiyin and Goa. Especially commendable was the performance of Atlético, who beat Goa on penalties in their own stadium, in front of 19,012 spectators.

Representatives. The team which is managed by Antonio López can count six Spanish footballers within their ranks: Basilio, Josemi, Borja, Luis García, Jofre and Arnal. The first, the substitute goalkeeper, has featured the least so far. The others have played regularly and they all have a good chance of starting in the final. Jofre, Luis García and Arnal have all scored in the Super League.

Kerala Blasters, for their part, also have another Spaniard who is aiming to start the big final in Mumbai. It is Pulga, who until now has been a regular in the plans of their coach, the eccentric former England goalkeeper David James, who serves as a player and as a coach. Today he will be on the sidelines and not in goal. A title fight between old acquaintances of Spanish football and world football. Atleti are looking for another title, this time further away. The title of India.

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1wx94hk

via IFTTT