Margao, Dec 21: Juan Ferrando got off to a winning start as ATK Mohun Bagan coach after his side scraped past a spirited NorthEast United FC 3-2 in a thrilling Indian Super League match here on Tuesday.
Ferrando jumped ship from FC Goa to ATKMB after the Mariners let go off Antonio Lopez Habas in a dramatic turn of events over the last week.
Clad in ATKMB travel polo, Ferrando looked unfazed by the noise around him and went about his job but was rocked early on as VP Suhair gave NorhEast United the lead in the second minute.
Hugo Boumous (53rd, 76th) scored a brace after Liston Colaco (45th) equalised for ATKMB but Mashoor Shereef (87th) got the Highlanders in the game late on.
In the end, the Kolkata side held firm and recorded their first win in four matches.
ATKMB now have 11 points from seven games. NorthEast United remain in ninth spot with seven points from eight matches.
It was no fairytale start for Ferrando as ATKMB boss as NorthEast went ahead in just the second minute. Mathias Coureur floated in a delicious corner towards the near post where Suhair was on hand to nod home.
Colaco forced Michu into action with a fierce effort from an angle inside the box but the keeper did well to avert the danger.
Just when it looked like NorthEast would go into the break with a 1-0 lead, Michu scuffed a goal kick and the ball fell to Krishna who swung in a delightful cross for Colaco to head into the far corner.
After the half-time breather, ATKMB decided to change gears and Boumous made it 2-1 soon after the restart to underline their intent.
NorthEast United failed to clear their lines for too long, leading to Subhasish Bose cutting the ball back from the left byline for Boumous to outfox the defender with a lovely piece of skill and tap home.
Krishna then beat a couple of defenders to take a wild swipe at goal before Carl McHugh made way for Joni Kauko at the hour-mark. Kauko was at it from the off as the Finland footballer played a crucial part in the third goal, setting up Boumous with a beautifully weighted pass for the latter to slot it wide of the keeper and into the net.
Substitute Shereef got NorthEast back in the game with a powerful shot from inside the box. (PTI)
