Atlético de Kolkata’s dramatic penalty shootout win in their semi-final against FC Goa was a test of mettle for their players. But Josemi, Mohammed Rafi, Jofre, and Borja all converted their penalties with aplomb, to send their side into the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) Grand Finale on December 20 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where they will have the chance to make history by becoming the first champions of the ISL.For Mohammed Rafi, who scored Kolkata’s second penalty, the special occasion will hold added intrigue, as the Kerala-born striker and his teammates face Kerala Blasters FC in the final. The forward guaranteed one last, big effort from his team to win the inaugural edition of the ISL, after the marathon effort in the semi-final. “It feels really good!” Rafi said about reaching the final in an exclusive post-match interview with indiansuperleague.com. “The team played really well today, and we’re going to try our best to win the final.”The 32-year-old said the biggest pressure during the penalty shootout was the raucous Goa crowd, who certainly made their presence felt. “We were playing away, so that was the biggest pressure we faced,” related Rafi. The striker also admitted to being “a little nervous” before the shootout, but credited head coach Antonio López Habas for giving the Kolkata team confidence in their chances of victory. “He just told us to concentrate,” Rafi shared. “Even when the game went into extra time, he told us that if we don’t concede, we will win.” That confidence will serve Rafi well as he prepares for arguably the biggest game of his life.
