Goa : The Hero Indian Super League season 7 has been a successful season as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) took a huge step to organise the football league in the worldwide pandemic situation. As the finals are in the corner between Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan, we would discuss about players who can make the difference in the final.
Mumbai has been the most clinical side since the beginning of the season. Every other football prophets tipped them as the favourite before the start of the season and they played with what everyone expected. Big names like Mourtada Fall, Hugo Boumous, Adam Le Fondre, Bartholomew Ogbeche was signed in the pre-season and these players were trained by the rightful hands of coach Sergio Lobera who just presented the Islanders with a ISL League Winners shield and qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage for the next season. But they would be looking make double this year and as previously with victories over the Mariners, they would be confident facing them in the finals. Players to watch out for :
1) Adam Le Fondre : The Englishman has been the top talisman for the Islanders this season with 11 goals by his back. He has been a prolific inclusion in this Mumbai side for his eye for goal and even helped his side by playing in different attacking areas. He can be the man to watch out for in the final.
2) Bartholomew Ogbeche : The Nigerian has been the active third highest goal scorer in the history of ISL. He has eight goals this season for the Islanders. Mostly used as a substitute to Le Fondre, Ogbeche has been a very impactful player for Lobera’s side. He scored the winner against ATKMB twice in the league stage and can be the man again who could make the difference.
3) Mourtada Fall : He has been the wall for Mumbai this season. The Senegalese showed how to defend in crucial moments. Even has chipped in very important goals from set-pieces. He has been the highest scoring defender in the history of the ISL. Certainly his presence in the defence and also during the set-pieces can be key for Mumbai in the final.
Even players like Boumous, Jahouh, Bipin Singh, Amrinder Singh can be a factor in the final and they would go with full power against the Mariners on Saturday at the Fatorda.
ATKMB or the Mariners has been the second best side to Mumbai throughout the season. They lost both the ties against the Islanders this season. Lost the top spot to them due to the head head count, which led to losing the League Winners shield and the top spot this season. But they do have players who can change the course in the final. The former ATK players have already won the cup last season in the very Fatorda Stadium so they know the pressure of the ISL final and how to pull out the opportunities in the big stage. They would be keen for revenge and what good if they achieve it in the cup final. Coach Antonio Lopez Habas has never lost a final, he made two on two on his previous times and would be looking to make it three on Saturday. The players who can be key for ATKMB :
1) Roy Krishna : He has been the man of the moment for the Mariners. If he runs the team will run. If he scores generally the team wins. He has scored 14 goals this season and with seven assists. He is the best option for Habas to win the ISL this season. The team will be heavily dependent on the Fijian for the magic which he has been providing since the start of the season. He has been out and out the best player of the ISL 7 till now.
2) David Williams : The Indigenous Australian has been the man of play-offs for Habas since the last season. He provided the extra edge in the semi finals and has chipped in with two goals in both the legs of the semi-finals against NorthEast United FC. He has a telepathic connection with Krishna and can be the man who might spark again for the Mariners in the final.
3) Manvir Singh : The 25 year old Indian has been the best signing for the Mariners this season. He has already scored six goals this season and with his blistering speed, he has just proved how good a player he is for Habas. The forward can play in any position upfront and also has the knack of coming down to help his side in defending. He will be the key man in the final after the match winning goal which he scored against NorthEast in the second leg of the second semi-finals.
Players like Tiri, Sandesh Jhingan, Carl McHugh, Arindam Bhattacharya will also be key coming to the final. They have been a real contributor for the Mariners this season and with their performance.
