ATK Mohun Bagan win bragging rights in Hero ISL’s first Kolkata derby

by Suchit Halder November 27, 2020

Krishna, Manvir help ATK Mohun Bagan edge past rivals East Bengal in a well contested match at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa.

Goa, Nov 27: A rivalry which has separated the Bengalis in Kolkata for over more than 100 years now, has now come into the Hero ISL and brought its magic to the biggest stage in the country. A fiercely contested battle between the two teams saw ATK Mohun Bagan edge past their rivals after beating them 2-0. A goal each from Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh helped Bagan in their second win of the season.

The game started off evenly in the first half with both teams playing attacking style of football. ATK right back Prabir Das was constantly posing a threat by swinging in crosses from the right flank into the East Bengal box. The closest chance in the first half occurred when Prabir caught East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar off his line and attempted for the goal. To Debjit’s luck, the ball hit the top of the crossbar. Javi Hernandez came close when he received the ball from a throw in and controlled it well to produce a shot on target, which was denied by Debjit’s left arm. East Bengal came close very early in the first half when Jacques Maghoma played a one-two with Anthony Pilkington and Anthony had a clear chance at the goal. Quick feet by Anthony saw him cut one ATK defender, but lost the ball while attempting to do too much. Maghoma had a free header off of the cross by Narayan Das which he headed wide of the goal. Both teams entered half time with scores level after creating many chances for themselves.

The second half started off with the same tempo as a derby is expected to be and the game was evenly distributed. While ATK was dependent on crosses by their full backs, East Bengal played more of a Tiki-Taka style of football with many one-two passes. In the 49th minute, ATK broke the deadlock as Roy Krishna drilled a left footed shot past Debjit back into the net. The shot was struck with great intention and power. Roy scored his second of the tournament and an important one in the derby.

East Bengal looked keen on getting an equalizer and coming back into the contest, but ATK’s defence and goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya had other plans in mind. An 82nd minute effort from Anthony was blocked by a defender. In a rather quick second attempt, Anthony looked to get the equalizer in a hurry when in the 83rd minute he looked to finesse a shot back in the right top corner. Arindam did well to deny the Irish man and keep ATK in the lead.

Manvir Singh, who was brought on in the 63rd minute for David Williams, scored a brilliant solo goal in the 85th minute to wrap things up for ATK. After winning the ball at the half line and leaving his marker Narayan Das behind, Manvir found enough space on the right flank. With no support in the box, Manvir did well to take it upon himself to score. Cutting back inside the box and drilling it right into the top left corner of the goal with his left foot, Manvir made it easier for ATK Mohun Bagan. The ball went past a crowd of East Bengal defenders and goalkeeper Debjit couldn’t do anything about it.

Hero ISL’s first Kolkata derby had to be played without fans witnessing it, but we clearly know which set of fans will be celebrating in Kolkata tonight.

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