ATK Mohun Bagan's Joni Kauko ruled out of ISL 2022-23 season

The midfield maestro was a crucial figure at the heart of the pitch for the Mariners.

Joni Kauko has potentially been ruled out of the ISL 2022-23 season after suffering from an ACL injury. The Finnish international got injured in the game against FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. ATK Mohun Bagan were already without the services of Florentin Pogba during the initial matches due to injury. Now with Kauko is set to miss the remainder of the season, the team has suffered another setback.

Joni Kauko was Juan Ferrando’s most trusted player with the midfielder scoring two goals in the six matches he has played this season. His contribution to the defensive third was crucial as well. Overall, it can be said that Kauko was the heart of the ATK Mohun Bagan contingent. The ATK Mohun Bagan management will have a tough job in hand as they need to find a player of Kauko’s capability, if they are planning to bring in a replacement at this moment.

Joni Kauko's journey at ATK Mohun Bagan

Joni Kauko joined the club in the 2021-22 season under coach Antonio Lopez Habas. He was part of the Finland squad and even appeared for them in the Euro 2020. Overall, Kauko has made 36 appearances for the Mariners in the two seasons he has played including the AFC Cup. Joni Kauko in his first ISL season scored thrice in 20 appearances with ATK Mohun Bagan finishing third at the end of the league stage.

ATK Mohun Bagan in ISL 2022-23

ATK Mohun Bagan currently occupy the sixth spot in the ISL points table with 10 points from six games. The club started the season on a poor note losing the home game to Chennaiyin FC. They bounced back strong defeating Kerala Blasters (5-2) in front of a packed JLN Stadium in Kochi. The most competitive match of the season so far was between ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City (2-2), where Kauko played a crucial role in scoring the first goal after trailing.