Defending champions ATK and last edition's losing finalists Kerala Blasters played out a dull goal-less draw in the opening match of the fourth edition of the Indian Super League here on Friday.
The match between two sides, who have featured in the two summit clashes of the earlier three editions so far, did not rise to any great heights with very few goal-scoring chances.
This was the first time that ATK drew their first away match in an ISL edition, having won in the earlier three occasions.
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov made his ISL debut but the 36-year-old Bulgarian could not do much in the whole match.
The match was a box-to-box affair with very few chances coming in the way of both the sides. ATK had four shots on target while Kerala had two in the entire match.
ATK, coached by former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham, dominated the match with more than 60 per cent possession. They controlled the match for long spells but failed to find the target and create chances.
The Yellow Army turned up at full strength at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here but they must be disappointed with the display of their side.
The Kolkata-based side had one real chance in the match but Jose Branco's terrific effort hit the Kerala goal post in the 71st minute. That was the closest to scoring in the match.
Branco cut in from the left, took it on his right and curled it only to see the ball hit the post after beating the goalkeeper.
Four minutes later, Robin Singh who had just come into the game, makes an immediate impact from the left side. He collected a pass and made his way towards the byline before drilling a low cross towards the near post but his ATK team- mate Hitesh Sharma failed to connect it.
In the final minute, Berbatov had a header off a corner from the right but without much power. It deflected off one of his team-mates but ATK goalkeeper Debjit Majumder dived to his right for a good save.
Jamshedpur take on NEUFC
Guwahati: Jamshedpur FC would look to make a winning start in their Indian Super League debut when they take on NorthEast United FC here on Saturday.
Even though Jamshedpur are new to the ISL, they have enough experience in their ranks, starting with their coach Steve Coppell who guided Kerala Blasters to the final last season.
On the field, there will be Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo in defence, South African Sameehg Doutie in midfield and Senegalese striker Talla N'Diaye.
Coppell said his side have prepared well for the league and his players were raring to go.
"I am excited about our first match. My squad has been preparing for six to seven weeks. I think we are all raring to go. Looking for the challenge. We are a new franchise but that doesn't make a great deal of difference," said Coppell at the pre-match conference.
"Coming here (Guwahati) for the first match of the season is difficult. They have got a good team and we don't know much about them as a team. Once we get few games under our belt, we can prepare better for our oppositions," said Coppell.
Caution is the buzzword for NorthEast United FC coach Joao de Deus as his team opens the campaign with a home match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Saturday.
NorthEast United have never made it to the playoffs in the last three ISL editions but the Portuguese coach sounded confident that his team can turn over a new leaf as they start with a home game.
"I can't speak of the past. At this moment, our team, we have a group of qualified coaches who have deep knowledge of training. But in competition with so much demand, we should be careful in some situation. We are preparing our team in a certain way," said Joao.
The hosts have a strong enough squad to challenge the established teams in the competition. India stars Halicharan Narzary and Rowllin Borges will be certain starters in midfield.
"First, let's see if he is on the field tomorrow. If he is not available obviously we are not going to play with just 10 players. He'll be in the XI if he is fit," said the coach.