ATK Mohun Bagan's attempt to get the first win against the defending champions went in vain as David Williams’ opening goal was canceled out by Pritam Kotal’s own goal.
Follow Us
ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando confessed his team has “a lot of problems” after the 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) fixture at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday. The Mariners’ attempt to get the first win against the defending champions went in vain as David Williams’ opening goal was canceled out by Pritam Kotal’s own goal. The draw left ATKMB level on points with fourth-placed Bengaluru FC on 20 points, with two games in hand.
Also read: Copa del Rey: Athletic Bilbao knock out Real Madrid to reach semi-final
FULL-TIME | #MCFCATKMB
A game with end-to-end action but rock solid defending from both sides ensured that the points are shared! ?#HeroISL #LetsFootball | @MumbaiCityFC @atkmohunbaganfc pic.twitter.com/KnkZZ06KvV
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 3, 2022
Ferrando was speaking to the media after the match and when asked about whether the own goal decided the outcome of the match, the Spanish coach said: “Today, in my opinion, we had a lot of problems. You have chances to get three points and then, we don’t get three points. It is a problem. The own goal is okay but, I think we have a lot of chances to win the game today.
ATKMB started the match brightly and put their nose in front in the ninth minute when MCFC midfielder Ahmed Jahouh conceded to the pressure by Hugo Boumous and allowed ATKMB’s playmaker to set up Williams inside the box. The Australian forward skipped past rival goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz and put it past him.
However, the lead didn’t last long as Pritam failed to keep out Bipin Singh’s cross from the left and unfortunately deflected the ball into his own net in the 24th minute. ATKMB had a number of chances to restore the lead but failed to find the back of the net again.
Asked what could have been done better, Ferrando said “ At the moment, to be honest, it’s difficult to prepare the line-up, I think like all the teams. We have a lot of injured players and Liston Colaco plays for the first time after 15 days. It’s very difficult but when the team tries to play and press and they continue on this line, for me, I’m very happy but to be honest, it is a pleasure when the players, in difficult circumstances like all the clubs, try to work and it is necessary to support them.”
Meanwhile central defender Sandesh Jhingan, who had an unsuccessful short-stint with Croatian top-tier club HNL Sibenik has returned to ATKMB and is training with the team. The indian international is yet to get on the field since making his return.
When asked about Jhingan getting back on the field, the 41-year-old tactician said: “It’s his pre-season for us. It is very important to not take a risk with new injuries. Now he is training and, of course, is not working 100% because we have no time to work with all the team. He’s in a squad because he’s working with a team. It’s like pre-season now, I hope to introduce him in some moments of the game, but the intensity is very high and it’s necessary to protect him.”
