MARGAO, Jan 31: After going two goals down, ATK Mohun Bagan scripted a stunning comeback in the ISL match to beat Kerala Blasters FC 3-2 at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday.
A Gary Hooper goal in the first half and a Costa Nhamoinesu in the second put Kerala in a position of strength.
However, ATK Mohun Bagan fought back valiantly through a goal from debutant Marcelo Pereira and a Roy Krishna brace.
Kerala had the first opportunity of the game in the 5th minute after a weak header by Tiri back to his goalkeeper put ATK Mohun Bagan under pressure in their own box.
Sahal Abdul Samad had the eventual shot at the goal but Sandesh Jhingan put in a heroic block to deny his former team.
The Blasters though did have their lead nine minutes later after a spectacular volley from distance by Hooper.
The Englishman showed his quality by controlling a cross from deep with his chest before volleying it first-time into the net from more than 30 yards to leave the Mariners stunned.
The southerners grew in confidence after taking the lead and looked the more threatening outfit in attack as Jordan Murray had the next two attempts on goal. Krishna tried to work his way into the game and registered a shot on target for ATK Mohun Bagan on the half hour mark, while Murray went up the other end and forced goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja into conceding a corner.
Kerala went on to end the half as the stronger of the two sides and dominated the ball besides also posing the bigger goal-threats. Their final attempt of the half was a Rahul KP effort from range which the goalkeeper saved comfortably as the Blasters went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
The Blasters began the second period on the attack and doubled their lead after six minutes.
However, the Mariners responded in the 59th minute through debutant Marcelo. The Brazilian ran on to a smart pass in behind Kerala’s backline by substitute Manvir Singh and clipped it past an outrushing Albino Gomes to halve the deficit for his team.
ATK Mohun Bagan got a penalty four minutes later after Jessel Carneiro was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Krishna stepped up to the spot and placed the ball with power to the goalkeeper’s right to make it all square.
The closing stages of the contest saw ATK Mohun Bagan up the ante as they took the lead in the 87th minute through Krishna.
The Fiji international did well to win possession high up the pitch and weaved his way into the box before curling the ball beyond the goalkeeper to win it for Mohun Bagan. (ISL)
