Kerala Blasters' Elhadj Ndoye reacts after missing a penalty kick in the shootout. Photo: ISL websiteIt was disappointment again for Kerala Blasters. If Kolkata played well in the first half, Kerala Blasters created a few good moves in the second half.
I felt Kolkata’s game had declined in the second half. When it came to penalty shootout where luck plays an important part, I was intrigued to see how confident the Kolkata players were in taking the penalty kicks in front of a roaring partisan crowd.
And as if to support my belief, Iian Hume missed the penalty succumbing to pressure. However, Koltaka managed to soak the pressure and won the match and the title.
What matters in the end is a victory and the method for achieving it hardly matters. It is the second time that Kolkata were winning the ISL title.
I felt Kerala Blasters’ defense stood up to the task even in the absence of an injured Hughes. However, Kerala Blasters’ attacks were one-man shows. Kolkata's attacks were more coordinated and troubled Kerala’s defense.
