Hyderabad FC put a leg up in their maiden final after registering a 3-1 win over ATK Mohun Bagan in the first leg of the second semi-final of the 2021-22 Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium. Saturday in Bambolim.
Roy Krishna helped ATKMB take the lead, but the former finalist’s joy was short-lived as Bartholomew Ogbeche (45th) leveled at halftime, only to be hit by Yasir Mohamed (58th) and Javier Sviero (64th).
ISL 2021-22: House , fixtures , Result , Mark sheet , photos
The two teams will face each other again for the second leg on Wednesday (March 16), with ATKMB needing to find the back of the net at least twice to give ATKMB a chance to advance to their second consecutive summit clash.
ATKMB outperformed Hyderabad in the opening exchanges, with Juan Ferrando doing well to defend his team well enough to close the gap for the yellow shirt and feed Ogbeche. Ashish Rai was sorely missed by Hyderabad and his absence was felt the most when he fell behind in the early stages of the game. Liston Colaco came to the fore once again, causing more than a few problems for Nim Dorji Tamang, who was eventually sold on the deceit of the former Hyderabad winger as he turned him inside out to cross for Krishna, who He came in front of his marker and hit the house.
It was Akash Mishra’s fault for not marking Krishna properly, but Nim Dorjee never had the measure of Colaco in the first place, the fleet-footed winger bursting forward after receiving the ball and giving Nim Dorjee a shot. Overtook to whip in the delightful cross.
Hyderabad saw the ball high but it was not bearing fruit as ATKMB dropped deep from the middle of the park or from the full back to starve the likes of Javier Sviero and Ogbeche serve. After the cooling break, Ogbeche, not getting enough balls, took it upon himself and dribbled some green and maroon shirts displaying amazing skill, but failed to make the most of it in the end.
However, Ogbeche’s industry was not in vain as he found the back of the net just before the halftime whistle. It was a record-breaking goal, equaling the Nigerian’s record for most goals scored in a season, when Juanan pointed the ball home from a pass. Yasir Mohamed’s corner was not cleared by the ATKMB defenders and the ball fell to Juanan who saw Ogbeche in the right place at the right time. Sandesh Jhingan shook his head, knowing he could have done better when Ogbeche beat him for goal as both teams went 1-1 back in the closed tunnel.
The second half belonged to Hyderabad as they scored two goals in a span of six minutes and bounced back after a heavy first 45 minutes. It was a double blow for ATKMB as not only did Yasir Mohammed score a goal in Jhingan and Tiri’s attempt to clear the ball near the box but Tiri was stretched out. . A few minutes later, Seviero moved from a corner to lead 3-1.
Ogbeche was everywhere in the second round in favor of Manolo Márquez, helping Yasir Mohamed secure the goal. At the other end, Joni Cauco fires a volley wide from the byline with a Hugo Baumus cut-in.
In the final moments, ATKMB desperately looked for a target to close the gap with substitute Kian Nassiri as they found the post from close.
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