ATK Mohun Bagan rescued a point out of a turbulent closing spell as they fought back to draw 2-2 against fellow top-four contenders Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Goa on Saturday.
Adrian Luna had scored what looked to be a winner with impeccable technique in the 64th minute after his opener was cancelled out by a David Williams strike all within eight minutes from the start.
But there was a late twist in the tale as Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko struck the equaliser in the seventh minute of added time despite ATKMB playing with a man less in the dying minutes.
The draw took ATKMB to the top of the standings, at least fleetingly with second-placed Hyderabad FC taking on FC Goa in the second match of the day, with 30 points from 16 games while Blasters remained in the fourth position with three points less from 16 matches.
Luna was in the thick of the action in the early stages of the all-important clash and made an impact in the seventh minute. Sahal Abdul Samad was brought down by Carl McHugh in a promising position and Luna smashed his free-kick over the defensive wall and into the goal with shot-stopper Amrinder Singh rooted to the spot.
However, there was no time for Blasters to celebrate as the Kolkata side’s reply was swift. Aussie attacker Williams slotted home a cross from Pritam Kotal to restore parity in the very next minute.
Amrinder stood tall for ATKMB as he palmed away efforts from Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Puitea. Meanwhile, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill was also up to the task at the other end denying Liston Colaco a goal after Alvaro Vazquez had given the ball away cheaply.
Give Luna enough space and time in and around the box and the chances are that the Spaniard will hurt you. ATKMB learned that lesson the hard way as the 29-year-old produced a photocopy of his goal against Goa last month, albeit from a closer range, to give Blasters the lead.
ATKMB’s hopes of an equaliser were all but over as Prabir Das saw the red after a tangle with Luna in added time. But Kauko had other plans as his shot breached Gill’s goal with seconds left to play as Blasters paid the price for failing to finish off the game in the second period.
