ATK Mohun Bagan end Bengaluru FC's playoffs hope with win
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
The Mariners moved just one point short off the top spot.
ATK Mohun Bagan took a major step towards ensuring a semi-final spot with a 2-0 win against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda.
The defeat ended all hopes for the Blues of making it into the top-four. As for the Mariners, they remaines third, level on points with second-placed Jamshedpur FC.
Liston Colaco (45+1’) scored his eighth goal of the season from a sensational free-kick to give his team the lead. Manvir Singh (85) added a second late in the game to put the result beyond doubt.
[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]
An early chance saw Liston Colaco testing Lara Sharma from a direct free-kick, but the goalkeeper was steadfast in collecting the ball. On the other end, Cleiton Silva threatened to score but managed to send his volley above the crossbar. At the half-hour mark, Sunil Chhetri was left unmarked in the box but his header went off-target, much to his disappointment.
The Mariners suffered a setback in the first half as Hugo Boumous was substituted at the stroke of the 40th minute, possibly due to an injury. Just when it looked like both teams will go into the halftime break without scoring a goal, the deadlock was broken with a moment of individual brilliance. Liston Colaco’s powerful direct free-kick beat Sharma in the goal to give the lead to ATKMB right before the halftime whistle.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]
Nine minutes after the restart, Manvir Singh found acres of space behind BFC’s backline, but poor decision-making on his part saw his shot getting blocked. Moments later, Colaco was serviced by Kauko but saw his shot hit the left post. The BFC head coach made a truckload of changes in order to save the season and turn the game around near the hour mark.
The Blues dominated more of the possession in the final stages of the match but struggled to create clear scoring chances. To end any hopes of a comeback, Manvir scored against the run of play in the 85th minute with a precise finish in the bottom left corner. There was no fight left in the BFC camp after the strike and the Mariners secured the win with ease.
ATK Mohun Bagan will lock horns with Chennaiyin FC in their next outing at the PJN Stadium on Thursday whereas Bengaluru FC will play SC East Bengal in their last league game of the season at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Saturday.
For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.
- Mohamed Salah playing 'mind games' for new contract says former Liverpool defender
- Juventus vs Manchester City: Live streaming, TV channel, kick-off time & where to watch UEFA Champions League 2024-25
- Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona: Live streaming, TV channel, kick-off time & where to watch UEFA Champions League 2024-25
- New 'Mystery Chip' in FPL: Explained & everything you need to know
- ISL 2024-25: Updated Points Table, most goals, and most assists after match 66, Chennaiyin FC vs Hyderabad FC
- Manjappada fans release joint statement against Kerala Blasters FC management
- Top five matches in India involving international football clubs
- Mikael Stahre outlines his solutions that can lead Kerala Blasters back to winning ways in ISL
- Oscar Bruzon explains how East Bengal can avoid Odisha FC threat and continue winning run in ISL
- Top 13 interesting facts about Lionel Messi