6 things we learnt in the opening Indian Super League match

1. The two goalkeepers, Subrata Pal of Kolkata and Subhasish Roy Chowdhury of Mumbai, were clearly the best Indian players on the field. Despite being on the losing side, Subhasish made a great block off Baljit Sahani’s header in the box off a perfectly targeted Luis Garcia cross in the 77th minute.

2. There may have been an air of an exhibition match about the Kolkata-Mumbai opener. But for foreign players, the bulk of those on the field, conditions were new and for Indian players, the pace. Almost all the play, whether midfield or set pieces, had the quality of watching 'visiting sides' playing a friendly. For spectators, investing in 'their club' will also take a while. Hopefully, by the time the novelty wears off, the quality of football on display will take over.

3. The Indian players on both sides faced the physical assyemtry between them and the international players. The rough and tackle were rougher than they are used to, even as they played with and against footballers past their prime. Mumbai FC skipper Syed Nabi being carted away may not be a rare sight in the ISL. But as the tournament proceeds, one-on-ones and tackles from Indian players hopefully will become less one-sided.

4. Beautiful goals can be scored in a tournament that critics have dubbed the ICU. Borja Fernandez's sweet guided curler finding the corner of the Mumbai net could easily have been the Spanish defensive midfielder scoring ten years ago for his old club Real Madrid in a La Liga match. Salt Lake stadium's 70,000 capacity crowd witnessed a gem.

5. Despite a roster of European players, Mumbai City FC didn't have what European football is noted for: a midfield. Barring occasional flashes from Brazilian Andre Moritz, Mumbai looked like a motley crew of ex-footballers. One hopes once Freddie Ljumberg and Nicolas Anelka (both who watched from the safety of the stands) join the fray, Mumbai City will meet their fancy expectations.

6. Ethiopian forward Fikru Teferra for Kolkata may not be a marquee name, but while bigger names were sluggish in the Kolkata humidity, this ‘Balotelli Lite’ with those giant shoulders was creating disruption for Mumbai throughout the game. His goal from a surge and a midfield defence lapse started proceedings.