KOLKATA: ATK Mohun Bagan stayed on track of keeping their date with the AFC Cup, beating Hyderabad FC 3-1 in the penalty shootout after regulation and extra time ended 1-1 at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode.
The win helped Ferrando’s team seal a place in the preliminary round of Asia’s second-tier club football tournament. For the past two seasons, ATKMB’s AFC Cup campaign ended in the interzonal semifinals.
Just like the semifinals of this season’s Indian Super League, where Juan Ferrando’s side pipped Manolo Marquez’s Nijams in the penalty shootout after playing out goalless stalemates across two legs, ATKMB again ended up having the final laugh.
Both teams managed to score with their first kicks in the penalty shootout. However, Hyderabad — who cancelled out Dimitri Petratos’ goal through Joel Chianese in an eventful first half — saw Sahil Tavora, Chianese and Odei Onaindia fail to convert from the spot in a row. Kiyan Nassiri then sealed the deal for the Kolkata side, beating Hyderabad goalkeeper Anuj Kumar.
In the latest match between the current and previous ISL championship winners, Petratos put ATKMB ahead in the 20th minute, providing a finish to Hugo Boumous’ cut-back. But Hyderabad refused to give up and duly brought home the equalizer on the cusp of halftime. This time, Borja Herrera provided the layoff for Chianese to come up with a perfect finish.
Both teams continued in the same attacking intensity in search of another goal but despite coming close to scoring, they could not find the back of the net.
For Hyderabad, Mohammad Yasir hit the post while ATKMB goalkeeper Vishal Kaith came out of his line to deny Chianese another shot at glory.
However, Hyderabad suffered a blow when their coach Manolo Marquez — who announced his decision to step down at the end of the current season — was shown a red-card by referee R Venkatesh just before the start of extra times. The match official also could not continue after pulling in his hamstrings and the fourth referee officiated the rest of the proceedings.
ATKMB had a glorious chance to seal the game in the extra time but Liston Colaco, set up by Petratos, failed to beat the goalkeeper from a one-on-one position.
It did not turn out to be costly as Kiyan made sure ATKMB stayed in hunt for making the AFC Cup group stage once again.
