ISL 3: Hume salvages ATK a point at home

by Chittu Shetty November 17, 2016

A late strike from Iain Hume salvages Atletico de Kolkata a point after Nico velez had scored his first goal of this season to put highlanders on lead.

Velez scored his first goal of this season

A defensive goof up by home side allowed Nico velez to score his first goal of the season in the fifth minute of the game to put Northeast into the lead. But the highlanders failed to see off the game in the final moments as Hume struck in the 90^th minute to bring ATK back into the game.

ATK started with Javi Lara replacing injured Sameehg Doutie while Stephen Pearson came in midfield, Arnab Mondal partnered Henrique Sereno in defense. For Northeast, Alfaro was back into the squad coming from suspension while Nirmal Chettri and Robin Gurung started at defence. Zokora was benched as Romaric started the game.

The match started with Northeast taking an early lead when a mix up between Sereno and Arnab on pressure from Alfaro and Velez respectively ended with Velez stealing the ball from a diving Arnab at the edge of the box and rounding off onrushing Debjit before placing the ball in to the empty net.

Atletico tried to come back into the game with number of chances being created but failed to give finishing touches to it. In the 28^th minute, Postiga from edge of the box missed his strike by shooting couple of inches wide off target. Ten minutes later Stephen pearson tried a left footer shot from a similar distance but it went straight towards Paul.

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Both sides entered the break with Velez’s fifth minute strike separating them. Trailing by a goal, Molina introduced Ruidas for L Ralte at the start of second half.

Seven minute in to the half, Javi lara almost curled his corner kick in to a goal only for Robin Gurung to deny it with a timely header at the far post. Soon Northeast started playing at Counter attack and one such attack almost resulted in goal. In the 72^nd minute, Yusa found Alfaro in little bit of space with a cross but the forwards header was saved by debjit.

Ten minutes later Alfaro was guilty of missing a sitter when Seityasen’s deflected shot found Alfaro with almost the entire net open, but the striker headed the ball straight towards Debjit to give ATK a respite.

Right at the last minute of normal time, Javi lara’s free kick found Postiga who headed it to the far post, where an unmarked Hume tapped the ball into the net to bring back the game. The game ended with a 1-1 draw scoreline as both teams failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities.

Atletico de Kolkata 1 (Hume 90’) – 1 Northeast United FC (Velez 5’)