Dominant HDFC register a 2-0 win over Atlanta SC

by Prasad bhutkar January 21, 2016

HDFC beat Atlanta SC  by 2-0 in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) First Division match held on Thursday afternoon at St Xavier’s ground, Parel.

HDFC and Atlanta SC  were up against each other in the First Division group B match. A Crucial game for Atlanta who needed the win to keep their hopes alive for qualifying the play offs whereas HDFC were in a much better position winning two out of their last three games. Neither team could afford another defeat.

Atlanta SC  had suffered a 2-0 defeat in their previous game against Rhinos while HDFC were given a walk over after their opponents could not make it on time. Both teams opted for a 4-3-3 formation with HDFC at time playing 4-2-4.

HDFC created a lot of chances to go in front but failed to capitalise. Their host of chances included a freekick from number 17 Rishi Pillai which was saved by the Atlanta keeper. Another lung bursting run down the right from Rishi could have been a goal only for him to fire over the top. Atlanta hardly could create any real chance for scoring as the score remained goal less at half time.

HDFC were favourites to score the opening goal of the game taking into account the possession they kept and the game they played. And very nearly took the lead when number 16 Nigel D’Souza hit the crossbar only for the ball to comeback of it. That would have gone inside 9/10 times on any other day. The breakthrough came in the 57^th minute when a cross down the right hand side was netted by number 16 Nigel D’Souza giving HDFC the lead. HDFC went on an attacking spree as every move forward lead to a shot on goal. They managed to double their lead in the 68^th minute when number 11 Siddhanth Puthran crossed from the right for number 21 Jayesh Naik to tap in the ball past the goalkeeper.

Atlanta SC failed to have any shots on target. It was all HDFC throughout the match as Atlanta succumbed to yet another defeat.