Last Update: May 04, 2023, 07:12 IST
ATK Mohun Bagan qualifies for AFC Cup (AIFF)
ATK Mohun Bagan beat Hyderabad FC 3-1 in the penalty shootout at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, at the end of a tense affair to seal their place in the preliminary round of the AFC Cup 2023-24
ATK Mohun Bagan booked their place in the preliminary round of the AFC Cup 2023-24 after beating Hyderabad FC 3-1 on penalties in the Hero Club Playoff at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala on Wednesday. Marine had made it to the inter-zonal semi-finals in the previous two seasons.
Dimi Petratos and Joel Chianese scored for ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC respectively before the game went to the penalty shootout, where Joao Victor was the lone scorer for Hyderabad, while Petratos, Liston Colaco and Kylian Nassiri scored. . Related penalty for ATK Mohun Bagan. Meanwhile, Sahil Tavora, Chianese and Odei Zabala missed their spot-kicks for Hyderabad FC.
Hyderabad were the ones who started quicker of the two, controlling the game and passing the ball with pace in midfield, with Mohammad Yasir and Joao Victor doing everything well for them.
ATK Mohun Bagan, however, are known for punishing even the slightest of errors and so it proved when, somewhat against the game, they opened the scoring. Hugo Boumous dribbled into the box from the right, before cutting back at the top of the six-yard box to Dimi Petratos, who slammed it into the roof of the net to give ATK Mohun Bagan the lead.
Hyderabad, to their credit, didn’t let their heads drop, and if anything, took more control of the ball, changing flanks constantly, building up the game patiently. Several chances also came their way, the best provided by Akash Mishra, who did from the left flank what Bomas had done from the right to ATKMB. However Borja’s finish was lacking.
When it came, it came that way, two minutes before halftime. This time, Borja turned supplier, cutting the ball back from the byline and applying Chianese to finish off.
In a second half that played mostly to the tune of Hyderabad FC, chances were few and far between with Chianese falling to a pass in injury time. This time the Australian shot wide from six yards out, when perhaps it would have been easier to put it on target.
A tense finish and some tough and close referee calls led to a temper at the final whistle. This eventually led to a red card for Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez, who was ejected from the stands.
In extra time both teams were cautious, fearing an error in place of needing to find a winner. Hyderabad created several half-chances in both periods of extra time, but the best chance went to Liston Colaco with a few minutes left to play. After being played on goal by a superb through ball from midfield, Colaco broke into the box, only to beat goalkeeper Anuj Kumar. He opened his body and tried to chip past the goalkeeper, but it went over the crossbar.
Both teams converted their opening penalties before Hyderabad FC’s next three shooters somehow missed the target completely. Anuj made a brilliant save saving Carl McHugh, but it was not enough. Hyderabad collapsed in agony, missed an opportunity in history. For ATK Mohun Bagan, as has not been their case in recent years, the AFC Cup preliminary round has begun.
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