FATORDA: For Hyderabad it was their first ISL final, but for their keeper Laxmikant Kattimani, it wasn’t the same. He was in a similar situation before. Last time he appeared in the final, it wasn’t his night. The former FC Goa custodian Kattimani ended up on the losing side after conceding two goals at the death, of which he was blamed by many. Ultimately Goans saw him going away from the Fatorda stadium.
But this time, things were different! Kattimani was once again in a similar situation but in a different skin at the stadium where he lost his first title. It was an emotional return for the former Gaur. He looked more confident than ever before. He was exceptional throughout the tournament and his heroics in the final saving three penalties would surely go down in the ISL history as one of the best performances in the final.
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It looked like the ghost of the past would haunt him once again when he slipped in Kerala’s 68th minute strike scored by Rahul Praveen. The keeper knew he could have done better to keep the ball out of the goal.
But he did make amends with a double to deny Kerala their double stopping Chencho Gyelstshen. While Kattimani stood tall at the back, Sahil Tavora scored one of the contender for the goal of the season sending the team into extra time.
With neither side able to score in the 30 additional minutes, it all came down to Kattimani. A chance to prove his worth and redeem himself. A chance to wipe off his old haunting memories at the club. And what a way to silence the critics. The former Vasco SC keeper stopped not one, but three spot kicks to win the title for his side.
No one could deny that it was Kattimani who won the final for his team. His performance would be surely noticed by the India national team coach Igor Stimac. This time, Kattimani could walk out of the finals with his head held high!
Coach Manuel Marquez did praise the custodian during the post match and said, “In these two years, he is one of the best goalkeepers in India. Kattimani practically didn’t make any mistakes this season,” stated Manuel.
Kattimani wasn’t at his best when Hyderabad signed him, but for Manuel, he was the perfect fit for his style of play. “I have said it last year, and I’ll repeat it again. He is the best goalkeeper fitting our style of play. He is not only good in goal, but can play with his feet too. If given a chance, I would choose Kattimani as the best goalkeeper,” he said.
With such a performance in this edition and if he continues to give his best, we can surely expect the Goan custodian to get the national call once again.
