ATK Mohun Bagan continue their strong form in the Indian Super League with another victory on Sunday, The Mariners defeated NorthEast United 2-0 at the Fatorda stadium.
Roy Krishna opened the scoring 5 minutes after the second half started. Then after a few minutes, they doubled their lead via an own goal by Suhair Vadakkepeedika.
The Kolkata giants move to the top of the table with 20 points in 9 games, a point ahead of Mumbai City FC having played a game more. The Highlanders slip to seventh place with 11 points in 9 games. They are winless in their last five games.
ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 NorthEast United Team News:
Antonio Habas started with a 4-4-2 formation. Arindam started in goal with Tiri and Sandesh as center-backs. Pritam Kotal and Subhashish Bose started as full-backs. Then we see a four-man midfield, a first this season for Mohun Bagan. Prabir Das and Sahil Sheikh started as wide midfielders with in-form McHugh and Edu Garcia in the middle. At last, we have a two-men frontline of Roy Krishna and David Williams.
NorthEast head coach Gerard Nus started the same 4-3-3 he played in the last game. Gurmeet was the goalkeeper and the defence consisted of Ashutosh Mehta, Benjamin Lambot, Dylan Fox, Provat Lakra. Their midfield included promising young player Lalengmawia with Camara and Gallego. Front three Rochharzela, Suhair, and Idrissa Sylla completed the team.
ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 NorthEast United Analysis:
Mohun Bagan had a quiet start to the game. However, they came close to scoring in the 18th minute. Carl McHugh’s header went over the target after an Edu Garcia cross. The Highlanders also had a heading chance of their own a few minutes later. Dylan Fox headed wide following a corner.
Habas’ side had more possession of the ball in the first half. But failed to create any clear cut opportunity to score as their opponents looked organized. Creating chances has been the problem for the Kolkata based team this season. Moreover, they only scored a goal in the first half of any game only once. Nine out of ten of their goals have come in the second half of the match.
At the break, the scoreline was 0-0. But, following a corner, Roy Krishna headed home his sixth goal of the season from close range. It took less than six minutes for the Mariners to take the lead in the second half. After another corner seven minutes later, Mohun Bagan found themselves 2-0 up.
Pressure from Sandesh Jhingan forced NorthEast United’s Benjamin Lambot to put the ball towards his own net. Then it hit young Suhair Vadakkepeedika and went into the goal, and hence it was given as Suhair’s own goal.
Nus’ side had their chances after going 2-0 down as Habas prioritized caution. Around the hour-mark, Rochharzela couldn’t keep his composure and failed to convert from a deflected cross. However, their best chance came at the 71st minute as Federico Gallego saw his free-kick hit the crossbar and go behind for a goal kick.
Then Mohun Bagan made it difficult for the Highlanders to create clear cut chances as they kept possession. The team with the least goals conceded in the league so far kept their composure till the final whistle.
Notable Performances:
Roy Krishna: Roy Krishna scored his sixth goal of the season to give ATK Mohun Bagan the lead in the second half. However, it was not only the opening goal that made his performance special. His work rate was amazing and remarkably he had only three touches inside the opposition penalty box. Crucially one of them ended in the back of the net.
Arindam Bhattacharja: The Bengali goalkeeper registered his seventh clean sheet of the season, the highest in the league. He made only one save in the game but his commanding presence was inspiring for Mohun Bagan defence.
Lalengmawia: The young NorthEast United midfielder had a great game indeed. It was disappointing that he ended up on the losing side but the 20-year-old promising midfielder will certainly decorate the Indian Super League in the future.
“We played a good match against NorthEast United FC. In the first half, the match was more balanced but in the second half we were more superior,”
Habas after the match
“We played the same way in both halves but the difference was the details in our box. The set-pieces cost us the game. We played against a great opposition. They are on top of the league for a reason. A lot of credit to them, but I can see a lot of positives from our side.
Nus after the game
Next, ATK Mohun Bagan will face Mumbai City FC on 11th January and NorthEast United will face Hyderabad FC on 9th January.
