The win lifted Mariners to the fifth spot in the table while the Highlanders remained ninth in the standings.
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ATK Mohun Bagan returned to winning ways in some fashion, as they came from behind to beat NorthEast United FC 3-2 in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) match at PJN Stadium in Margao, Goa on Tuesday. It was Juan Ferrando’s first match as NorthEast United FC head coach. Suhair Vadakkepeedika (2’) gave the Highlanders an early lead in the game but the Mariners stormed back with goals from Liston Colaco (45+3’) and Hugo Boumous (53’, 76’) to go 3-1 up. Mashoor Shereef (87’) then scored a second for the Guwahati-based side to set up a nervy finish but ATK Mohun Bagan held on to record their first victory in five matches.
Khalid Jamil’s men came into the game on the back of a victory and they took no time in ascertaining their supremacy. They needed just two minutes to take the lead when Suhair stole a march on his marker and sent a glancing header past Amrinder Singh to put NorthEast United FC in the lead. Undeterred by the disappointment, ATK Mohun Bagan soon got a grip of the match and had a glorious chance to level the scoreline in the 12th minute when Roy Krishna’s clever flick found its way to Manvir Singh, who couldn’t score on the quick turn despite being just two yards out.
The two reversed roles seven minutes later as Manvir turned provider with a low drilled cross that was met by Krishna at the near post but he could only guide it into the side netting. The Mariners kept up the pressure and once again troubled ATK Mohun Bagan’s backline. Colaco went close with a free-kick that dipped late in the 28th minute but did not do enough to sneak in under the crossbar.
.@colaco_liston produced his magic yet again and rightly bags the Hero of the Match award! ?#NEUATKMB #HeroISL #LetsFootball | @atkmohunbaganfc pic.twitter.com/UTbq2S7JRX
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) December 21, 2021
The Highlanders came back strongly in the final five minutes of the half, as Rochharzela forced a save from Amrinder five minutes later with a sweetly-struck half volley. ATK Mohun Bagan then scored very much against the run of play in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. Krishna got the ball following a poor goal kick from Michu and the Fijian found Colaco with a cross who sent a looping header over the goalkeeper to level the score for Ferrando’s men.
Jamil responded by making two changes at the interval as Danmawia and Joe Zoherliana came on for Rochharzela and Provat Lakra. The Highlanders started the second half strongly. NorthEast United FC missed a golden chance to take the lead when Lalkhawpuimawia fired a pinpoint cross from Zoherliana wide from six yards out as he failed to sort his feet.
Soon, the Mariners punished Jamil’s men for missing the early chances. NorthEast United FC failed to clear their lines allowing Subhasish Bose to run inside the box and square it to Boumous who tapped home in an empty net in the 53rd minute to put his team in front.
Later in the half, substitute Joni Kauko played a through ball for Boumous who finished with ease to put ATK Mohun Bagan 3-1 up. Just when the points looked to be in their bag, substitute Shereef then halved the deficit three minutes from time for the Guwahati-based side to set up a nervy finish. However, ATK Mohun Bagan held on to the slim lead to hand Ferrando a winning start.
The win lifted Mariners to the fifth spot in the table while the Highlanders remained ninth. NorthEast United are next in action against league leaders Mumbai City FC on Monday while ATK Mohun Bagan take on FC Goa on December 29.
