Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) came back from being a goal down to win 2-1 against Chennaiyin FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Salt Lake stadium here on Wednesday.
A 27th minute strike from Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto was cancelled out by ATK's Sameehg Doutie in added time of first half. Then it was Canadian marksman Iain Hume who found the winner for the hosts in the 63rd minute guiding home a Doutie cross.
With the win, Atletico now climb up to the second spot in the league table with 17 points from 11 games whereas Chennaiyin are still languishing at the bottom of the table with 10 points from 10 matches.
The contest lacked pace from the beginning. Both sides tried controlling the midfield but some poor passing led to the attacks getting nipped in the bud.
It was a comedy of errors which resulted in the first goal for the visitors as Brazilian midfielder Augusto was first tackled by Tiri but he got up quickly and chased the ball. He then evaded a tackle from Augustine and then skipped past a diving Arnab Mondal before slotting the ball in.
Surprisingly, there were three sliding tackles from three defenders but none could get a touch on the ball.
However, the hosts were quick to re-gather their thoughts and started pressing forward in numbers.
A long ball from Tiri in the 35th minute was flicked on by Iain Hume, Doutie was through on goal but Chennaiyin defender Dhanachandra Singh's last minute challenge was enough to clear away the danger.
Next it was Hume who tried his luck with a header but it fizzed just over the woodwork.
But their hardwork paid off a few minutes later as Doutie found the back of the net through a maze of players. It was a Gavilan Martinez free-kick which was punched away by custodian Karanjit Singh but the sphere fell in the way for the South African medio who unleashed a piledriver.
At halftime the scoreline read 1-1.
Early in the second half, Chennaiyin FC stepped on the gas. First it was a chance for Brazilian star Elano but his effort was just off target and then he laid one in the path of Fikru but ATK goalkeeper Karanjit Singh was quick to come off his line and grab the ball.
Just after the hour mark the home side broke out into one of their trademark counter attacks, Doutie after being released on the right darted forward and then sent in a delightful ball into the six-yard. All Hume had to do was get a touch and he obliged by guiding his flick home.
Doutie was again in the thick of things as he squared one for Gavilan inside the box but the latter's effort was blocked.
Chennaiyin tried hard in the last few minutes but could not find the net but the hosts remained strong and did not let go of the one goal advantage.
