Ratings: Toothless ATK Mohun Bagan pay heavy price in AFC CUP inter-zone semifinal

Fardin Ali Molla scored the Mariners' only goal in the match.

ATK Mohun Bagan were knocked out of the AFC Cup 2022 with a 3-1 loss to Kuala Lumpur City FC in the Inter-Zonal semifinals play-off match on Wednesday. The visitors took the lead from an amazing long-range strike from Paulo Josue in the 60th minute, before ATKMB substitute Mohammad Fardin Molla equalized in the first minute of injury time in the second half.

But the Mariners lost their composure after that, with substitutes Fakrul Aiman and Romel Morales finding the net as well to end ATK Mohun Bagan’s continental dreams. Here are the ATKMB's Player Ratings for the Game.

Vishal Kaith – 5

The Indian goalkeeper was pretty solid with his passing, but couldn’t really do much to save either of the goals. The first one was a belter of a finish, the second a thunderous header and the third a one-v-one chance.

Pritam Kotal – 4.5

The experienced defender started in the right-back role, but he didn’t really have any influence over the game. Failed to make any impact going forward and was shaky at the back too, losing four aerial duels too.  

Brendan Hamill – 4

The Australian defender is still getting used to things at ATKMB and that showed. He lost a lot of duels to Jordan Mintah and looked shaky at the back. Hamill also failed to close down Josue quickly enough for his tremendous strike. He was also caught out of position at times. Lost all four duels that he contested.

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Florentin Pogba – 4.5

Captaining ATK Mohun Bagan in a major game, the defender was quite involved in the build-up play for his side. He made 98 passes (with 91.9% accuracy) and moved things around well. But looked a bit wary defensively at times and it was his misplaced clearance that led to the opening goal. Failed to show authority in set pieces.

Subhashish Bose – 3

Subhashish was quite a proactive figure on the left and had to cover a lot of ground as Kuala Lumpur City focused their attacks through his side. He made two clearances, two blocks and won five duels. But then he lost his head after the equalizer, giving away the free-kick leading to the second goal, getting booked and even losing the mark of AIman. Then made a horrible mistake gifting the visitors the third, capping off a horrible evening.  

Carl McHugh – 4

The Irishman struggled to dominate the play in midfield for his side. McHugh lost six duels and only won two tackles, not being able to bully the midfielders. He had little influence in the attack and couldn't create enough spaces to create chances.

Deepak Tangri – 6

Tangri was sharp in the middle of the park, helping cut out a number of breakaway opportunities, making two interceptions and winning three duels. Maintained a 92% passing accuracy, but most of his passes were sideways and hardly had creativity.

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Joni Kauko – 7

The Finnish midfielder tried to be an inspired leader in the final third, helping drive the attacking moves for his side. Made some delightful passes to create two major chances, but only to see nothing come from it. Caused major chaos leading to the equalizer with a clever dinked ball into the box, allowing Liston to take the shot.

Liston Colaco – 7

Colaco was, predictably, again ATKMB’s best attacking threat on the day. He tormented the Kuala Lumpur City FC defenders with his mazy moves and got himself in some great areas. Troubled the goalkeepers at times and it was his shot late on that forced a save before Molla scored off the parried attempt.  

Ashique Kuruniyan – 5.5

Kuruniyan made his AFC Cup debut for the Mariners and played in a unique right-wing role. Made some speedy forward runs, but failed to deliver in the final third. Created some chances after moving to the left in the second half, but couldn’t really provide any goal-scoring threat.

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Manvir Singh – 4

Playing in his natural centre-forward role, the striker failed to make a real impact or trouble the defenders. Looked erratic up-front and blasted some efforts well wide. Lost four duels and made just 19 passes in an underwhelming effort.

Substitutes

Asish Rai – 5.0

Rai was brought on to add more attacking intensity for his team. However, he didn’t really get enough space to cause trouble. He failed to deliver any real quality crosses and looked far from the pace of the game.

Mohammad Fardin Ali Molla – 7.5

The young striker saw Ferrando put a lot of faith in him to come on when his side were trailing and made the necessary impact. Produced a poacher’s finish to pounce on the goalkeeper’s fluffed attempt to give some hope for his side.

Kiyan Nassiri – N/A

Failed to make much impact in a late cameo.

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