Atletico de Kolkata kicked off the Indian Super League in the best possible manner – with an authoritative victory over Mumbai City FC at the Sale Lake Stadium. Now, Atletico de Kolkata will look to make it two wins out of two when they travel to the partisan confines of Guwahati for a face-off with NorthEast United FC, a team in equally confident mood after their own opening ISL victory over the Kerala Blasters.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled to for a 7 pm IST (2.30 pm BST, 9.30 am ET) start with live coverage in India on the Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2 Star Sports 3, Star Gold, Asianet Movies, Suvarna Channel and Jalsha Movies. Viewers can also watch Match 5 of the ISL via live streaming online for free on Starsports.com.
US viewers can live stream the action on FoxSoccer2go, while Europe viewers can catch the action live on Eurosport or their online Player. Middle East and North Africa viewers can watch the game on Bein Sports or via live streaming on Bein Sports Connect. South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa audience can catch the match on SuperSport or their online option.
While Atletico de Kolkata picked up their win with an assured performance going forward, NorthEast United FC, one of the youngest teams in this ISL, showed their defensive stability, quelling attack after attack from the Kerala Blasters to come away with a 1-0 victory, courtesy a goal from their Spanish star Koke.
The Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati was a cauldron of excitement in the first game, and the fans are expected to come out in their numbers to watch what will hopefully be another enthralling encounter between two sides that can easily go all the way and clinch the Indian Super League title.
"They [Atletico de Kolkata] just came from a good result at home but it's very early in the tournament to say anything," said NorthEast United manager Ricki Herbert. "For us, it's another game coming up very quickly and we have to back up quicker than any other side in the league.
"I think it will take a few games to make anything more prominent."
However, with all eight teams playing a round each, Atletico de Kolkata were the most impressive, trampling past Mumbai City FC 3-0, with their striker Fikru Teferra, in particular impressing everyone with his directness and pace.
If Fikru can keep his consistency levels up, then Atletico will have a fine player to call upon time and again, while the team co-owned by Sourav Ganguly and La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, will also hope for another dominant performance from their marquee player Luis Garcia.
If Garcia and Fikru keep the same form going, then NorthEast United, with their young team, will find it difficult to cope.
"We will try to do the same things we did in the last game and try to do our best," said Garcia. "We know that every game is going to be difficult, we know that this league format is very short so we have to focus on how we play.
"In the first game we played really well and scored three goals but every game is going to be different and for tomorrow's game, we have to play the same way. We have to play well, we have to press in the middle of the pitch, create many chances."
