ATK win first game of the season, edge Mumbai 1-0

by Chittu Shetty December 17, 2017

Robin Singh’s strike was the difference in the game as ATK defeated Mumbai at their own ground to snatch a 1-0 win in the Match 27 of the Hero Indian Super League.

ATK players defend during match 27 of the Hero Indian Super League between Mumbai City FC and ATK held at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai India on the 17th December 2017
Photo by: Vipin Pawar / ISL / SPORTZPICS

Both teams came in to the game with something to play for, while ATK needed the win to finally kick start their poor campaign so far Mumbai City FC needed the win to break into the top 4 of the league and keep their winning run at home going.

The game began on a sluggish but the first big opportunity came for the Mumbai when Balwant’s brilliantly chested a ball from midfield and sent it across the box but no Mumbai players were close enough for the tap in as the ball went wide. Minute later Chennai won a free-kick and a dangerous free-kick in the box brought out a brilliant save from Mumbai custodian.

Ten minutes later, ATK almost took a lead after another free-kick resulted in Amrinder pulling out a full stretched save to keep the score 0-0. Few minutes later Rupert Nongrum got past Mumbai defence to gather the ball from midfield but Amrinder came off his line just in time to block the final shot. In the 25^th minute, ATK marquee player Keane tried a grounded shot from just outside the box which was gathered by diving Amrinder. Minutes after half hour mark, Balwant almost sent Mumbai into lead after his header whizzed inches over the bar.

Few minutes later, ATK on a counter almost took the lead after Jose Branco’s brilliant run that started from the ATK half ended with the Amrinder once again blocking the final shot in a 1-on-1 situation. Both the teams entered the break without breaking the deadlock with Amrinder saving the blushes for Mumbai in the first half.

Second half began with ATK on the front foot from the start, minutes in to the game, Robbie Keane attempted a shot from the edge of the box which brought another save from Amrinder who was kept busy the whole day. However ten minutes in to the second half, Jose Branco’s low cross from left was nudged in by Robin past Amrinder’s legs to send ATK in front. Mumbai looked to get back immediately with an attack of their own which ended in Balwant heading the ball straight in to Debjit’s hand.

In the 68^th minute, Mumbai almost equalized in a goalmouth scramble only to be cleared away by the ATK defence in the end. The game began to produce end to end stuff with both teams looking for goals. With five minutes of play left, Mumbai had a glorious chance to draw level when a free-kick from Emana at the edge of the box was cleared only as far away as Thiago Santos whose shot was blocked, the ball fell for Emana again only to be again blocked away by the ATK defence

With the game coming to its dying period, Mumbai went all out on attack, at the 90^th minute mark, a free-kick from Emana was poorly cleared and resulted in another goal mouth scramble with the ball falling for Emana again whose cutback missed everyone in the box meeting an onrushing pranjal whose shot was tipped over by Debjit. With six minutes of injury time on, Baljit came close to an eqauliser only to skew his header over.

ATK defence held on in the end as the game ended with the Kolkata side picking their first win of the season while Mumbai were finally beaten at home.

Also Read: Chennaiyin FC breach Bengaluru Fortress with a late winner

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