With the marquee final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 just a few hours away, the stakes and the excitement levels are quite high. The entire nation will be glued to their television and mobile sets as Bengaluru FC play ATK Mohun Bagan in the finals.
Both the teams weren’t the first-choice finalists of course. The likes of Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC were touted to play the finals as they were the strongest teams on paper. Form was good and they had some good players in their ranks.
But both Bengaluru FC and ATK Mohun Bagan held their nerves and displayed maturity in the penalty round in the semi-finals, to qualify for the prestigious ISL 2022-23 finals.
In this article, we take a look at 3 players to watch out for in tonight’s ISL 2022-23 finals at the Fatorda Stadium:
1. Vishal Kaith (ATK Mohun Bagan)
Vishal Kaith has been a wall in the team of ATK Mohun Bagan. He has registered 12 clean sheets and is well on course to win the Golden Glove award in ISL 2022-23. Kaith’s 12 clean sheets is also the highest number of clean sheets ever registered by a goalkeeper in the history of ISL.
With such a formidable record with him, Juan Ferrando would be placing his trust and faith on his custodian to deliver the goods in this high-octane clash.
2. Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
A lot of football fans had written off the legendary Sunil Chhetri after his barren run in terms of goals in the beginning of ISL. He was even benched for a few games and didn’t start.
But the talismanic striker came back with a bang and scored a goal in the knockout game against Kerala Blasters FC and also in the 1st leg of the semi-final against Mumbai City FC.
As he is back in form, it remains to be seen whether Simon Grayson integrates him into the starting XI. This also well might be Chhetri’s last ISL tournament as age isn’t on his side. The all-time leading goal-scorer of India is 38 years of age.
3. Dimitri Petratos (ATK Mohun Bagan)
30-year-old Australian striker Dimitri Petratos has been one the knight in shining armour for the Mariners. He has been in stupendous form and has so far netted 10 goals in ISL 2022-23. Petratos is the leading goal-scorer of ATK Mohun Bagan in this year’s ISL.
Notably, Dimitri Petratos had scored in both the league stage games of ATK Mohun Bagan versus Bengaluru FC.
