Kolkata: Dimitar Berbatov left his mark even as Kerala Blasters were held to a 2-2 draw against defending champions ATK at the Viveknanda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium here on Thursday.
It was his maiden goal of the competition and perhaps one that Kolkata will remember for years to come. Many football greats such as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have all graced the gigantic YBHK stadium and on Thursday it was Berbatov’s turn.
The legend, a former Manchester United and Tottenham player had been responsible for ATK’s first equaliser after Gudjon Baldvinsson had headed them ahead. But his 55th minute stunner from outside the 18-yard box will forever be etched in the memories of the 4000 odd people that had gathered here.
Jackichand Singh’s free-kick after a foul on him by Ryan Taylor, was laid into the Bulgarian’s path by Nemanja Lekic-Pesic and Berbatov sailed it home with a perfect volley, in his first start over a month.
But not just the goal, it was also Berbatov’s presence in the field that drew applause. His signature for Kerala made him the highest paid overseas player this season and against ATK, the 37-year-old showed the level of quality he brought into the side. He was subbed off soon after the goal but moments before that he could have added an assist, if only Courage Pekuson shot quicker.
ATK bounced back after going behind twice
Incidently, both the first two goals were deflections and while Icelandic international Baldvinsson scored from a thumping header that hit Jordi Montel on its way to the net in the 33rd minute, five minutes later Ryan Taylor hit a low-grounded shot that deflected off Lalruatthara, leaving goalkeeper Subhasish Roy no chance.
It was ATK however who dominated as wingers Bipin Singh and Jayesh Rane terrorised the Kerala full-backs with ferocious pace that often left Wes brown and Prasanth K chasing crooked-shadows in the first half-hour.
But when Berbatov scored with a pile-driver, the defending champions seems to be heading to their fifth straight defeat and fourth under interim head-coach Ashley Westwood.
Tom Thorpe however equalised with a header from Taylor’s corner in the 75th minute leading ATK to their first point after a hat-trick of home defeats.
It was also for the second time in 14 games that the two-time champions came back from going behind twice, the first had come against Chennaiyin in a losing cause over two months ago.