ATK and Goa split the points after high-octane encounter in Kolkata
Atlético de Kolkata were held to their third draw of Hero Indian Super League 2016 against FC Goa after the action ended at 1-1 at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. It was a pulsating game that saw Sameehg Doutie give ATK an early lead. Stephen Pearson and Sanjay Balmuchu were then sent off in the space of eight minutes early into the second period. Former Kolkata midfielder Joffre scored Goa’s leveller in the 77th minute to earn his side’s first point of the season.
Kolkata scored the opener in the sixth minute after an attempted header out of the box by Goa from a Javi Lara free-kick fell to Doutie. The South African winger’s venomous volley from the edge of the box gave Subhasish Roy Chowdhury no chance in Goa’s goal as ATK raced into an early lead.
Goa came close to equalising in the 13th minute after Rafael Coelho got in behind ATK’s defence. The Brazilian’s attempted cut-back to Joffre though was just behind the diminutive Spaniard, allowing the hosts to clear the danger. Trindade Goncalves went through on goal three minutes later but Debjit Majumder raced off his line to make the save.
Lara almost made it 2-0 in the 19th minute after Doutie chested an Abinash Ruidas cross from the left to the Spaniard. His first-time shot with his weaker left foot from just outside Goa’s penalty area flew fractions wide of the target.
ATK had another chance of extending their lead in the 38th minute after Pearson found himself in acres of space at the far post. The Scotsman’s header goal-wards, however, wasn’t strong enough to beat Chowdhury in goal.
Robin Singh had a deflected shot on goal parried behind for a corner by Majumder moments later. The last chance of the half also went Goa’s way courtesy of a Trindade snapshot on the turn, which was inches wide of goal.
ATK’s first chance of the second half came after six minutes through skipper Borja Fernandez, whose rifled-shot from distance sailed just over the crossbar. Goa were given a way back into the game a minute later with Pearson receiving his marching orders for robust tackle on Trindade.
That didn’t stop Kolkata from looking for a second though as Lara’s free-kick in the 58th minute nearly sneaked into the goal. The Gaurs’ man-advantage didn’t last long as Balmuchu too was sent for an early shower with the game approaching the hour-mark to make it 10-v-10.
Iain Hume then forced Chowdhury into a good low save to his right in the 70thminute after unleashing a shot from range. The game took another twist six minutes later after Borja handled inside the box to concede a penalty. Joffre stepped up and converted the spot-kick with conviction to make it 1-1.
Goa’s equaliser set up a grandstand finish with both sides in search of a late winner. The Gaurs nearly got the goal four minutes from time after substitute Julio Cesar sent a dangerous ball across the face of ATK’s goal. Joffre’s desperate stretch to get on the end of the cross wasn’t enough, however, as the ball trickled over the line for a goal-kick.
Borja almost redeemed himself with an effort in the 89th minute. The Spaniard’s shot had Chowdhury scrambling in goal but his attempt was just wide of the mark as ATK played out their third draw of the season, while Goa registered their first point of Hero ISL 2016.
Match awards:
Club award: Shared by both clubs
Amul Fittest Player of the Match: Javi Lara
DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Iain Hume
Maruti Suzuki Swift Moment of the Match: Subhasish Chowdhury
ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Abinash Ruidas
Hero of the Match: Sameehg Doutie
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