Atletico de Kolkata maintained their excellent unbeaten record against FC Goa as they scripted a dramatic 2-1 victory to leave the hosts on the brink of elimination from the ongoing third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here last evening.
Juan Belencoso gave Kolkata the lead in 28th minute but FC Goa equalised through Mandar Rao Desai in the 80th minute. The visitors, however, had the last laugh after scoring match-winner in the second minute of the added time.
The victory took Kolkata to the second spot with 18 points from 12 matches and almost knocked out FC Goa as the team coached by Zico is at the bottom with 11 points from 12 matches.
Zico welcomed several players who were forced to sit out through suspensions and injuries, but it was Atletico de Kolkata who came up with a dominating show in the first session. Spanish players Javi Lara and Borja Fernandez controlled the midfield while upfront Helder Postiga and Juan Belencoso were a constant threat.
It didn't take long for Atletico de Kolkata to exert influence on the game and the visitors had their first chance in seventh minute. Abhinash Ruidas tuned a good cross from the left which Postiga tried to test the goalkeeper. The ball instead deflected and fell for Belencoso but his effort from close range was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani.
Kattimani was again in top form when he denied Javi Lara's angular shot from just inside the box but the Goa goalkeeper could do nothing when Belencoso jumped high to meet a cross from Ruidas in the 28th minute.
Despite being behind, Goa could not create chances and had no chances of note. Rafael Coelho's ambitious overhead kick from a Joffre Gonzalez corner was the closest they got but had Postiga's header not hit the crossbar from Lara's corner, it would have been all over for Goa.
Even in the second session, Kolkata continued to miss chances. Postiga's shot after Richarlyson gave the ball away in a dangerous position was saved by Kattimani and Belencoso should have done better in the 60th minute with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The match turned interesting in the last 10 minutes after Mandar Rao Desai secured the equaliser for FC Goa in the 80th minute. The Goa midfielder received a ball just outside the box and unleashed a powerful grounder which beat Kolkata goalkeeper Debjit Majumder.
For the last 10 minutes, FC Goa literally camped in the Kolkata half and allowed space for visitors to score the match winner in the second minute of added time from a counter attack. A freekick in the Kolkata side saw them taking it quickly and Sameehg Doutie did well to pick up Pearson for an easy finish.
Atletico de Kolkata will now lock horns with Kerala Blasters while Goa will take on Chennaiyin FC in their last group clash.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
