Postiga stars on debut as ATK beat Chennaiyin FC

Portuguese striker Helder Postiga scored twice as defending champions Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) started their campaign on a winning note beating Chennaiyin FC 3-2 in an exciting lung opener of the cash-rich Hero Indian Super League (ISL), here tomorrow.

The former Portugal frontman and Cristiano Ronaldo’s one-time teammate Postiga showed his predatory skills with two opportunistic strikes in the 13th and 70th minute while substitute Spanish striker Valdo also found his name on the scoresheet.

For Chennaiyin FC, Jeje Lalpeklhua hit one in the 31st minute while their main player and skipper Elano Blumer got one back converting a controversial penalty in the 89th minute when the referee awarded penalty with the ball rebounding off ATK stopper Arnab Mondal’s stomach.

<g data-gr-id="20">However</g> there was some bad news for the ATK fans as Postiga might just be out for a week to 10 days after he pulled a hamstring while taking a crack during the second goal and was stretchered off the field. ATK skipper Borja Fernandes said: “Postiga is an important player and I hope that his injury is not serious.”

For Chennai outfit, the absence of Marco Materazzi, serving a one-match touchline ban from the last season did have its ill-effects as Chennai left Bruno <g data-gr-id="16">Melissari</g> and <g data-gr-id="17">Stiven</g> Mendoza from starting line-up.