Chennaiyin FC made a stunning comeback into the game to grab all 3 points against ATKMB. Second-half goals from Kwame Karikari & Rahim Ali helped the visitors to stun the Kolkata crowd. Previously, Manvir Singh broke the deadlock for the Mariners with a stunning Dimitri Petratos assist in the first half.
ATK Mohun Bagan 1-2 Chennaiyin FC
Playing in front of the home fans, the 26-year-old striker put ATK Mohun Bagan in the lead by scoring the opening goal. On the counter, Manvir successfully converted a pass from Dimitri Petratos. leaving Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Debjit Majumder with no chance of saving. Anirudh Thapa-led side came back aggressively after the break, creating more pressure on the opposition defence line.
Chennaiyin were far more adventurous at the restart as Edwin Vanspaul’s introduction at the beginning of the second half injected pace into the proceedings. In the 63rd minute, Julius Duker dinked a ball for Kwame Karikari who touched the ball ahead of Vishal Kaith, who charged out of his line. He instead fouled Karikari and the referee gave a penalty, which Karikari converted with ease.
The goal prompted an immediate reaction from Juan Ferrando, who promptly brought on Liston Colaco, albeit at the cost of Petratos as they dropped down to three at the back with Manvir and Ashique Kuruniyan playing as wing-backs.
Twenty minutes later, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul sent a good pass forward on the right wing to Karikari, who then cut the ball back to Rahim before he found the far corner with a superb finish. ATK Mohun Bagan had a chance during the dying moments when substitute Liston Colaco’s curling free-kick from the edge of the 18-yard box was brilliantly saved by a diving Debjit.
“I thank my teammates and coach. I believe in hard work. I was on the bench but I was excited to show what I can do and I did. As a striker my goal is to score. I am very happy with the win”, said Kwame Karikari. “After the penalty, the mentality of the team went down. We were closer to 2-0 than 1-1. It was a difficult moment for the team. But it is necessary to never give up and keep going,” said ATK head coach Juan Ferrando.
Even though the ATK players tried hard to find the equaliser this time, the goal would just not come as Chennaiyin came out victors with a comeback win. Chennaiyin FC will travel back home to Chennai for their next game against Bengaluru FC. ATK Mohun Bagan will next face Kerala Blasters away on October 16.
