Agencies
Panaji, October 23
Atletico de Kolkata managed to comeback from being a goal down to win the tie 2-1 against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Thursday evening. Andre Santos had put the home side ahead in the first half before Cavin Lobo struck twice in the second session to ensure that the Kolkata side remain unbeaten in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Goa have now lost both their home games this season as they lie sixth on the table with a point from their three matches. Meanwhile, Atletico continue their reign at the top of the table as they have amassed 10 points from four matches.
Zico named an unchanged starting line-up for the home side while there were four changes in the visitors' squad.
Luis Garcia hadn't recovered from his hamstring injury while Borja Fernandez returned after serving his one match ban with Cameroonian goalkeeper Edel Apoula Edima Bete replacing Subhasish Roy Chowdhury and Cavin Lobo taking the place of Jakub Podany who started on the bench.
Andre Santos delivered two good deliveries inside the Atletico box within the first five minutes, although Gregory Arnolin and Ranti Martins weren't allowed space to get on either of them.
Borja Fernandez shot wide off the immediate counter and minutes later, Cavin Lobo also saw his shot go wide of the near post on the right.
Santos fired the ball into the net in the 21st minute to send the fans into ruptures after receiving a quick pass in the box from Ranti Martins with the move being initiated by Clifford Miranda on the left. This was after right back Denzil Franco was on ground waiting to be substituted.
The Brazilian goalscorer then attempted a curler from distance, but Apoula claimed it comfortably. However, the Goan side refused to take their foot off the gas as Robert Pires got close but found the outside netting in the 26th minute.
The Goans largely dictated terms in the opening half besides Seda being forced into a save from Cavin Lobo's long range strike that bounced just ahead of the Czech goalkeeper.
Fikru was lucky to be on the pitch after headbutting with Gregory Arnolin after half-time whistle.
After the break, the play was slow as the two teams resorted to tough tackling in order to keep the opposition’s attack at bay with the referee brandishing cards at every instance.
Fikru, the Ethiopian did well to chest the ball down from a Lobo cross and shot first time which missed the top corner by a few inches in the 54th minute.
Nine minutes later, Santos laid the ball for Debabrata from a free-kick and the full back’s shot came off the wall. Off the rebound, Debabrata saw Edel spill the ball only for it to came off the inside of the post for him to collect it again while Arnolin was lurking around.
Goa should have doubled the lead in the 68th minute. Pires won the ball in the middle and found Gabriel inside the box who found Santos. However, the Brazilian strike went inches wide, much to the disappointment of Zico.
Atletico found the equalizer out of nowhere when Jofre Mateu’s long ball was Fikru flicked it on for Cavin Lobo who smashed it home giving Jan Seda no chance whatsoever in the 72nd minute.
If that wasn’t enough, Lobo went on to score the winner eight minutes later. Goa’s clearance went as far as Lobo outside the box as his left footed effort went flying into the back of the net to silence the home crowd.
Thereafter, Goa did try to string together a few moves but nothing concrete came of it. Santos powered his way into the box only for Arnolin to poke it wide in the injury time. FC Goa needs to improve their display as they embark on a trip to Pune to face fellow strugglers FC Pune City this weekend.
After spanking Pune City FC with a superb 5-0 scoreline, Mumbai City FC would look to continue their sparkling form when clash with North East United FC in their next Hero Indian Super League fixture, here tomorrow.
The hosts bounced back after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Atletico de Kolkata in the inaugural match and coach Peter Reid said he was pleased with the way the team had performed.
"The last result was terrific and we want to carry on that form. Delighted to score five goals and even more delighted to keep a clean sheet because if you keep a clean sheet, you don't lose football matches," Reid told reporters on the eve of the match.
"It is going to be hard though on Friday. I know their coach Ricki Herbert. I've managed against him when he was the New Zealand coach and I was with Thailand. It will be difficult, but we are looking forward to it and we hope to replicate our passing from the last game and hopefully get another positive result," he added.
Reid had played an attacking formation in both the games and he is likely to adopt a similar aggressive approach in the next home encounter.
"I want to go out there and be as solid as we were against Pune. If we get it right with the attacking players we've got, we can give anyone a game."
In the previous game, Brazilian Andre Moritz had starred with a hat-trick and penetrated the opponent's defense with ease along with Indian striker Subash Singh.
It will be interesting to see whom they field tomorrow as the team will be spoilt for choice with the injured players Freddie Ljungberg and Syed Nabi regaining fitness.
"Ljunberg is 100 per cent fit to start. So I've got a problem. I've got an even better problem in the next game as Nicolas Anelka can start (after serving the three match ban). I don't mind having such problems," he said.
