Panjim: ATK Mohun Bagan finally make their way into the top four of the Indian Super League after stunning Hyderabad FC 2-1 at GMC Athletic Stadium on February 8. With the win the Mariners reached the fourth spot with 23 points having played 13 games. At the same time Hyderabad FC retain the top spot with 26 points from 15 games. Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh featured in the score board for the Mariners along with Joel Chianese for Manuel Marquez’s men.
Hyderabad FC started their game on a strong note, with their first chance to be on the scoresheet coming as early as the eighth minute. Youngster Akash Mishra delivered a perfect cross at the goal but it failed to make it to the net. While, sometime later Hugo Boumous had a golden chance to put the Mariners ahead but shot it wide from a close range before forcing Laxmikant Kattimani to deny him a minute later. Kattimani was tested once again by Colaco, sometime before the break . In the meanwhile, Carl Mc Hugh was replaced by derby-hero Kiyan Nassiri. The two teams went into the break in a level after Aniket Jadhav failed to convert a Nikhil Poojary cross.
Coming from the break, ATK Mohun Bagan seemed like a changed side. The much anticipated goal came within 56th minute, when Colaco finally made it past Kattimani. In three minutes, the Kolkata Giants double the lead through Manvir Singh, rendering Kattimani helpless.
.@manvir_singh07 got his name on the score sheet with a well-taken goal for @atkmohunbaganfc! 👏
Watch the #HFCATKMB game live on @DisneyPlusHS – https://t.co/ElKYXGRcgX and @OfficialJioTV
Live Updates: https://t.co/5X1yJUiqJL#HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/iihXaTfP9y
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 8, 2022
Despite the trail, Chianese pulled one back for the Nizams in the 67th minute. With Amrinder Singh failing to deal with the impact of Joao Victor’s shot, Chianese instantly put the rebound back in to decrease the gap.
67' 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗟𝗟!!! @Joel_Chianese fires it in after Joao Victor's powerful effort from outside the box troubles Amrinder.
We are back in this one… 💪#HFCATKMB #ThisIsOurGame #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC pic.twitter.com/WZMjqkdy3Y
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) February 8, 2022
The Nizams were deprived of an equalizer even after repeated attempts. The prominent of them being Rohit Danu’s powerful shot which was parried away by Amrinder, after Mohamed Yasir picked Danu at a favourable position. Despite numerous efforts, Juan Ferrando’s men went away with all three points handing Nizams, their third defeat of the season.
ATK Mohun Bagan not only outplayed the Nizams as per the score board, they even maintained the possessional advantage while registering five shots at the target out of 11 taken. However, despite less goals the Nizams took 14 shots, having five shots on the target as well.
Hyderabad FC will be taking on Marco Pezzaiuoli’s Bengaluru FC next on February 11 while ATK Mohun Bagan will face Khalid Jamil’s North East United FC the following day in a hope to retain the top four spot.
