Hello and welcome to Sportstar's ISL 2020-21 blog of the ATK Mohun Bagan vs FC Goa clash.
That brings us to the end of our ISL coverage for the day. We will be back tomorrow when Odisha FC takes on Bengaluru FC [ Preview ]. Until then, you can follow our full coverage of the ISL here . Goodnight!
MATCH REPORT:
Over to the post-match presentation now.
FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando : A lot people back in Spain watched this game and asked me if this is a joke. It's incredible. Even in our last game against Odisha FC two penalties were clear [which were not awarded]. Even today, the penalty against Ortiz was clear. I have 20 players in dressing room crying because they are hard working. I don't have a lot of time. We have four games in 20 days. We don't have a lot of time and it is important for us to recover. In the end, now we know that the final score does not depend on us.
Elaborating his thoughts on the game, he said, "Not only today. It's been the same in the last 3-4-5 games [poor refereeing]. In two days we will be back here to play Chennaiyin FC. No time to recover. The final score does not depend on us and now everyone knows. It's repeating. Maybe everyone is laughing and making a joke but I am not so happy. We now decide what happens in the future about the league, if we decide to continue with these referees. You know what happened at the end.
He then expressed his concerns regarding his side's packed schedule that sees it play four games in 20 days.
"Firstly about Brandon, he was ill the last two days. It was a similar situation with Edu Bedia before the Odisha FC game. Brandon missed a training and we decided to protect him. it's the same with Ortiz as well. We need to protect our players because we played last Saturday, played today, will play again on Saturday and then on next Wednesday."
He added, "If we play everyone for 90 minutes, then we will surely have injuries in the future. For us it is very important to protect the players. If we have five days between games, then no worries. But we don't have time and we need to protect Ortiz, Edu, Brandon and then next Sat we will need to protect another player because we play again on Wednesday. If I lose two-three foreign players to injuries then imagine what happens. They have contracts and are paid salaries to play and not stay in the hospital or in their rooms."
He concluded by saying, "I am happy with all the players because they all worked hard but I am disappointed with the score."
ATK Mohun Bagan coach Antonio Habas : "It was a very difficult match and a very tactical match. The opposition had lots of important players. We had doubts in our last matches needed to play confidently. Tactically, the team had a fantastic performance today.
Talking about the side's upcoming clash against Bengaluru FC, he said, "Bengaluru is a very difficult and competitive team. Our players were fantastic and now we will rest and re-organise and prepare for the next game. We have to evaluate if any players have injuries and if it is possible for them to recover."
Here's ATK Mohun Bagan's David Williams summing up the clash: "I'm very happy for Roy [Krishna] and the team. We frustrated them [FC Goa] and did not let them play which was part of our gameplan. We stuck to what we were told to do and we got the result. I think we're going in the right direction."
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There is no miracle at the Fatorda for FC Goa as Roy Krishna's 85th minute spot-kick sees ATK Mohun Bagan take home a 1-0 win.
ATK Mohun Bagan was the dominant side in the opening half and offered FC Goa little to no room, but the Gaurs looked much better in the second 45. The side looked promising in attack after Brandon and Ortiz came on and the latter was particularly impressive. The Spaniard was denied a penalty in the 80th minute when he was nudged by McHugh in the box.
The turning point came two minutes later when substitute Aiban Dohling brought down Krishna in the box. The Fijian converted from the spot to bag his fifth goal of the season.
The result sees ATK Mohun Bagan climb to the second spot with 13 points from six games while FC Goa remains sixth with eight points from six matches.
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FULL TIME: ATK Mohun Bagan beats FC Goa 1-0.
90+5' It's just not mean to be as Bedia's header from the corner sails wide and the full-time whistle goes off.
90+5' WHAT A SCREAMER FROM GAMA! He nearly turns FC Goa's Saviour as he fires a ferocious left-footed strike from 35-odd yards out and forces Arindam to parry it away for a corner.
90+3' Last two minutes for FC Goa. Can the side produce a miracle?
90+1' Another change for ATK Mohun Bagan as SK Sahil replaces Williams. The fourth official signals for five minutes to be added on, but it could be extended as Arindam has spent the better part of two minutes getting medical treatment.
90' Ortiz at it again as he plays an excellent cut back into the box but Jhingan saves the day. Kotal was shown a yellow card a minute ago.
87' ATK Mohun Bagan looking really shaky at the back now. FC is throwing men forward and the Green and Maroons are finding it hard to contain them.
86' Change for FC Goa as Princeton Rebello replaces Lenny.
85' GOAL! Roy Krishna scores from the spot to give ATK Mohun Bagan the lead. Krishna bags his fifth goal of the season with a fine bottom-corner finish. Nawaz did go the right way but could not keep out the powerful strike.
84' PENALTY to ATK Mohun Bagan ! Krishna is taken out by Aiban in the box and the Fijian now has a chance to put his side ahead. Aiban, who came on 10 minutes ago, fails to pick Krishna's run and has given away a spot-kick.
81' Second change for ATK Mohun Bagan as Prabir Das comes on for Manvir Singh. Habas opting for more stability at the back here, taking off a striker for a right back.
80' McHugh is a lucky man. Ortiz storms into the box and McHugh, clearly unable to catch up, shoves him from behind. The push throws Ortiz off-balance and he can't get a proper shot. The Gaurs appeal for a penalty, but the referee awards a goal-kick. Unfortunate for Ortiz.
75' That surely cannot be a foul! Manvir does really well to go shoulder to shoulder with Brandon and the FC Goa midfielder goes to ground a tad too easily. Off we head to the drinks break.
74' Double change for FC Goa. IN: Aiban, Ortiz OUT: Doungel, Gonzalez.
71' McHugh makes a fantastic tackle to deny Noguera a shot! The Spaniard wins the ball off Halder and beats Tiri but has the ball stolen from his feet by McHugh before he can let one rip.
70' Brave goalkeeping from Arindam! Brandon's pass takes a deflection and sneaks into the with two strikers in pursuit, but Arindam races off his line to collect the ball.
69' Clumsy tackle from Donachie. He completely misses the ball and clatters into Krishna. Interestingly, he does not get booked.
68' ATK Mohun Bagan has been unable to keep up its intensity from the opening half and FC Goa is making repeated forays into the attacking third. The Gaurs look a lot more settled now and are clawing their way into the game.
66' Habas makes a substitution as well as Edu Garcia replaces Jayesh Rane.
65' First change of the game and it's Brandon Fernandes who comes on for Romario.
61' FC Goa looking a lot better now. Doungel receives the ball on the left and plays a curling cross for Angulo, but Arindam beats him to the ball.
60' Angulo, who is ISL 2020-21's top scorer, has struggled for supply today. He's had zero shots in an hour of play!
57' Excellent link up play from FC Goa. Romario plays a searching cross into the box and Noguera's header is on target but can't beat Arindam. Goa finally showing signs of what it can deliver.
54' Chance here for ATK Mohun Bagan! Krishna is brought down on the edge of the box and Williams is lining up to take the free-kick. The strike lacks any venom and it's an easy save for Nawaz.
52' ATK Mohun Bagan's high press nearly pays dividend, again! Krishna's closing down sees Nawaz, who is well out of position, make a poor clearance. Halder wins the ball in the middle of the pitch and has a go at goal, but can't find the target.
51' Chance for Goa here as Doungel fires a header in the box, but it nowhere close to the goal.
50' Manvir goes down in the box but there's no penalty there. He dodges his way Seriton, but Romario tracks back well to win the ball off Manvir.
48' No changes made by either manager at the interval. Surprising to see Brandon still on the bench. He's carrying a niggle perhaps?
46' KICK OFF! And the second half gets underway at the Fatorda.
An intensely contested opening half comes to an end with the score-line remaining 0-0. ATK Mohun Bagan came closest to scoring when David Williams struck the post in the 40th minute, while FC Goa has struggled to create chances in the final third.
ATK Mohun Bagan looked the better side with their ferocious, offering Goa little room, but will have to tread carefully as Tiri and Williams are both carrying yellow cards.
45' Referee Rahul Kumar Gupta blows the whistle to signal the end of the opening half.
44' Tempers are flaring here as every foul attracts a mini-scuffle. Krishna took our Gonzalez a minute ago and now Bedia and Habas seem to be having a go at each other.
40' Speak of Williams, what a strike that is! A diagonal ball fins him on the right and his first touch is magical. He transfers the ball onto his left foot and unleashes a ferocious strike that rattles the post. Close shave there for FC Goa.
39' Williams, who's already on a yellow, needs to be careful here. He gets into an off the ball spat with Gonzalez, for no apparent reason, but doesn't face any disciplinary action.
37' ATK Mohun Bagan 'keeper Arindam is yet to face a shot! A telling tale of FC Goa's struggles in the final third?
34' Another physical contest here and it's Manvir vs Rane. The ATK Mohun Bagan forward is released into the box and he muscles his way past Rane, but the latter is down on the ground and wins a free-kick.
29' This promises to be a good contest between Gonzalez and Krishna. The Fijian striker races down the right but the Spaniard tracks him throughout before halting his run with a well-time challenge.
26' FC Goa yet to settle into any sort of rhythm here as it continues to struggle to create spaces or make any inroads in the opposition half.
23' Williams makes a late high tackle on Gama ans becomes the the second player to get booked. He gets into a bit of an altercation with Bedia as well and shoves the FC Goa captain away.
21' Goa wins a freekick 40-odd yards out and Bedia whips in a lob but nothing comes off it.
20' True to their nature, the Gaurs have hogged the ball so far with 65 per cent of possession. The men in orange are yet to create a chance up front though and are under relentless pressure owing to ATK Mohun Bagan's high press.
15' Tiri picks up the first yellow card of the game. Angulo and him leap to win a header but the ATK Mohun Bagan defender doesn't win the ball and strikes his opponent on the back of the head. It's not intentional, but the referee is quick to flash a card.
14' First corner of the game! Edu Bedia floats in a cross towards the far post but Manvir is there to head it to safety. FC Goa making moves in the attacking third now.
9' ATK Mohun Bagan's excellent high press nearly leads to the opening goal! Bedia makes a poor pass and Krishna wins it before Halder lobs it to Williams. The Australian, coming back from injury, can't get the desired connection.
7' McHugh fires the first shot of the game but it sails well off-target.
5' Krishna wins a free-kick after he is fouled by Donachie. First set-piece opportunity of the game.
3' ATK Mohun Bagan has opted for a full-throttle attack today with Roy Krishna, David Williams and Manvir Singh starting. FC Goa is home to this season's top-scorer in Igor Angulo. Safe to say we can expect a goal-fest today?
1' KICK OFF! FC Goa attacks from right to left.
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7:25pm: The players are out and FC Goa dons its trademark orange jerseys. ATK Mohun Bagan, the designated home side, wears its maroon and green jersey.
7:15pm: ATK Mohun Bagan has an average of 46 percent possession – third-lowest by a team this season. FC Goa, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. The side has averaged 59 percent possession – most by a team this campaign. Did you know that FC Goa has made 1,000 more successful passes than ATK Mohun Bagan? Get more such comparative stats here .
7pm: ATK Mohun Bagan winger Michael Soosairaj underwent surgery on Tuesday after a Grade 3 Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury has all but ruled him out of the ISL 2020-21 season. More on that here
6:30pm: Team news
ATK Mohun Bagan XI (4-1-3-2)
Arindam Bhattacharja (GK), Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Pritam Kotal, Tiri, Jayesh Rane, Pronay Halder, Carl McHugh, Manvir Singh, David Williams, Roy Krishna
FC Goa (4-3-3)
Mohammad Nawaz (GK), Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Seriton Fernandes, Saviour Gama, Alberto Noguera, Seiminlen Doungel, Alexander Jesuraj, Edu Bedia, Lenny Rodrigues, Igor Angulo
6pm: Here's how the two teams could line up today
ATK Mohun Bagan predicted XI (3-5-2)
Arindam Bhattacharja; Pritam Kotal, Tiri, Sandesh Jhingan; Prabir Das, Brad Inman, Carl McHugh, Jayesh Rane, Subhasish Bose; Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh
FC Goa XI predicted (4-2-3-1)
Mohammad Nawaz; Seriton Fernandes, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Saviour Gama; Edu Bedia, Lenny Rodrigues; Alexander Jesuraj, Brandon Fernandes, Jorge Mendoza Ortiz; Igor Angulo
5:45pm:
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa will be clashing for the first time in the ISL today. Here are some
key stats ahead of the clash.
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Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan reboots to face Goa charge
Having slipped from the top position in the Indian Super League table after going winless in its previous two games, ATK Mohun Bagan will target a return to winning ways when it hosts in-form FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday.
The contest will not only see two of the strongest teams in the ISL take on each other but will also pit two tactically sound managers with contrasting philosophies.
ATKMB coach Antonio Habas does not put all his eggs in the 'possession football' basket. His side is renowned for counter-attacking and being defensively organised. So far, the Kolkata giant has had an average of 46 percent possession – third-lowest by a team this season.
Meanwhile, Juan Ferrando's FC Goa side, is the opposite. The Gaurs love dominating opponents and have usually accounted for the lion's share of the ball. The side has averaged 59 percent possession – most by a team this campaign.
But ATKMB faces two injury concerns with doubts over Javi Hernandez and Tiri. Injuries to the duo have disrupted the balance of the side and Habas acknowledged the problem after his side dropped points in its previous game against Hyderabad FC.
"There is a long way (to go this season)," Habas had said about his team losing the top spot. "Obviously, we don't want to lose but we have many problems with injuries. But we have to recover the players and make them compete."
While Igor Angulo will aim to extend his goal-scoring tally for the Gaurs, Roy Krishna will be key for ATKMB during counter-attacks. The Fijian has scored four of his team's six goals so far – with all its goals coming in the second half.
READ |
Out of the five goals Goa has let in so far, three have come after the break and Ferrando is aware his side will need to be alert throughout the game.
"It's so very important to have one plan for the team since we play against a very good team, not only Krishna," he said.
"It's important to be compact of course (but) also (take care of) the time, area of the ball and the spaces. It's important to focus on these details for 90 minutes. This team is incredible because for 90 minutes they are working hard," he added.
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Follow Sportstar's full coverage (Latest news, Interviews, Features, Points table, Quiz, Videos) of ISL 2020-21 here. Click here
The Indian Super League (ISL 2020-21) marks the return of major league competition in India after the nationwide lockdown to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak was first imposed in March.
The seventh edition of the ISL got underway inside a bio-bubble in Goa on November 20.
The tournament, spanning over four months, will see 11 teams play each other in a league and playoff format across three venues. Following the inclusion of SC East Bengal, this season will feature 115 games, up from 95 last season.
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