Top-placed Kolkata square off against Kerala in ISL

Kolkata: Perched on top of the table, Atletico de Kolkata will look to consolidate the lead when they face a struggling Kerala Blasters FC in a battle of leaders and laggards in the Indian Super League here Sunday.

Kolkata are three points clear of NorthEast United FC in the points table.

More than their performance, the unbeaten Atletico de Kolkata have made headlines for their antics. Coach Antonio Habas and mercurial striker Fikru Teferra are, in fact, facing disciplinary action for their alleged fracas in Goa.

With Fikru set to miss tomorrow’s fixture because of a double booking and uncertainty persisting over former Liverpool star and captain Luis Garcia (hamstring injury), the Kolkata franchise would certainly be under pressure to bring up their first win since their 2-0 blanking of Mumbai City FC in ISL kickoff.

This would certainly give an opportunity for KBFC to notch their maiden win in a contest which is also seen as a battle between two former India teammates and opening partners in Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, the respective co-owners.

While Sachin, who will be going to Sydney for the annual Bradman Foundation Dinner, is set to miss the date, ATK co-owner Sourav would be here and will have the company of another former India batsman VVS Laxman to cheer for the team.

Riding on a stunning second-half brace of Cavin Lobo, ATK secured a 2-1 comeback win against FC Goa in an ill-tempered clash that saw eight yellow cards including one to Kolkata’s goalkeeping coach Deshi Bhaktawer on Diwali night.

Goa have lodged an official protest for Fikru’s alleged headbutt on Goan player Gregory Arnolin and French World Cup winner Robert Pires’ claim that ATK coach Habas punched him near the tunnel at the half-time.

In the likely absence of Garcia and Fikru, Borja Fernandez and Jofre Mateu would be the centre of their attacks and much of their success would depend on the duo’s set pieces.