ISL 3 S/F 1st leg: Hume brace helps ATK edge ten man Mumbai city FC

by Chittu Shetty December 11, 2016

A topsy turvy S/F encounter ended with Hume’s brace sealing the deal for host while Forlan was sent off in the second half to make matters worse for Mumbai.

ATK edge past Mumbai 3-2 in 1st leg S/F

In an enthralling first leg semi final ATK took an early lead through L Ralte’s goal before Mumbai came back courtesy of Leo Costa and Vieira’s strikes. But Iain Hume came to the party late in the first half to score two goals and take ATK back to lead. To make matters worse for Mumbai, a visibly frustrated Diego Forlan was sent off in the second half for fouling Jewel Raja and will be suspended for the second leg.

ATK started with a slew of changes resting key players in Debjit Majumder, Javi Lara, and Stephen Pearson while Arnab Mondal missed the game to injury and was duly replaced by Dani Mallo, as Kinshuk Debnath lined up alongside Henrique Sereno in central defense.

Mumbai City FC on the other hand brought back Sunil Chhetri to partner with Diego Forlan while Matias Defederico was replaced by Leo Costa.

The game started in a best possible way for the home side when Borja’s shot took a deflection of Ralte before looping up and creeping in to through the far post top corner as Amrinder failed to avert it away.

Mumbai soon came back in the tenth minute when Diego Forlan from a free kick on right sent in a good cross which was directed towards Leo Costa’s way by Sunil Chhetri header. An unmarked Costa made no mistake in dispatching the ball past Mallo to make it 1-1.

Few minutes in the 18^th minute, later Mumbai took the lead when from another Forlan free Kick Vieira rose highest to score through a powerful header and make it 2-1.

Also Read: ISL 3 Semifinals Leg 1: ATK look to topple Mumbai at home

Soon Kolkata began attacking in numbers and after Borja’s long ranger just went over and Doutie’s shot was saved by Amrinder Singh, finally in the 39^th minute Ralte’s cross was palmed away by Amrinder but only till Doutie, who setup Hume for a rasping finish.

In the third minute of first half extra time, Kolkata took the lead when Postiga was brought down by Sena Ralte inside the box and the referee gave the penalty to the hosts. Hume stepped up to slot past the Mumbai custodian to make it 3-2 as both sides entered the tunnel.

The second half began with Mumbai playing the chasing game. After Iain Hume missed a couple of chances, in the 74th minute, a frustrated Forlan was booked for the second time in the day for Kick had Jewel Raja and saw himself out of the second leg in Mumbai.

Four minutes later, Kolkata almost doubled the lead after Doutie dribbled his way past three players before his shot was palmed out by Amrinder but only as far as Postiga, who was caught offside.

Kolkata looked to take man advantage for the second leg but Mumbai defended well enough to keep the game on for the second leg.

Atletico De Kolkata 3 (L. Ralte 3′, I. Hume 39′, 45’+L. Ralte 3′, I. Hume 39′, 45’+2) – 2 Mumbai City FC (Leo Costa 10′, Gerson 19′)