Atletico de Kolkata put an end to their losing streak courtesy a 4-1 hammering of Mumbai City FC
Atletico de Kolkata forward Iain Hume put an end to their three match losing streak against Mumbai City, as they thrashed four goals past an in-form Mumbai City FC. Both teams made a tentative start, with Atletico de Kolkata starting the match more positively in comparison to other matches, found themselves reaching first for the balls in midfield.
Mumbai City made two changes to the team that hammered five goals past NorthEast United FC, with marquee player cum manager Nicolas Anelka starting in place of Frederic Piquionne, with Juan Aguilera returning to lineup in place of Cristian Bustos. Atletico de Kolkata also made three changes to lineup that lost to Delhi Dynamos at Salt Lake Stadium, as Denzil Franco, Syed Rahim Nabi and Jewel Raja startedthe match in place of Rino Anto, Arnab Mondal and Baljit Singh respectively.
Mumbai City forward Subhas Singh was presented with a chance on the 27th minute after a long ball over the top nearly found him but Atletico de Kolkata goalkeeper Amrinder Singh was alert enough to sniff out the danger.
Two minutes later Atletico de Kolkata midfielder Borja Fernandez picked the ball up in the midfield and tried his luck with a weak long ranger. Atletico de Kolkata nearly conceded soon after as Francis Bertin headed it just wide from Darren Oa dea freekick on the 31st minute.
Atletico de Kolkata had problems scoring goals since the injury to their marquee player Helder Postiga, found the back of the net through Iain Hume on the 34th minute. A long ball had found Hume who lays it for Jamie Gavilan as he made his run into the box. Gavilan had no problem in finding Hume with no one closing him down, as Hume put the ball past Subarata Paul with a first time volley.
Mumbai City were forced till the 42nd minute to have a real chance at the Atletico de Kolkata when Chhetri found Sony Norde on the counter but the shot was narrowly wide. Kolkata responded with an attack of their own two minutes later as Hume held off two Mumbai City FC defender to lay it off for Jewel Raja but the shot was hopelessly close to the corner flag than the goal.
Atletico de Kolkata did double their lead before the halftime whistle after Subhash Singh cynically brought down Jamie Gavilan inside the box. Hume converted the penalty with aplomb that even included a slight stutter in his runup to send the goalkeeper in the opposite direction. Subhash then wasted a chance by going for glory.
Nicloas Anelka furious with the scoreline and made all 3 changes during the half time break as soon found Mumbai City dominating in attack. The second half consisted a flurry of Mumbai City attacks and Amrinder standing tall to their shots,
Amrinder pulled of a brilliant save from Piquionnea s on the turn shot as Aquilera pass set him up beautifully for the shot. Mumbai City then had a reprive on the 62nd minute, as Hume beautifully controlled a long ball before unleashing a rasping shot which rattled off the crossbar.
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Mumbai City FC then went on to reduce the lead on the 71st minute as Selim Benachour scores from the rebound of Chhetria s shot which was stopped by Amrinder. Piquionne had nodded it on for Chhetri but the shot found its match in Amrinder.
Atletico de Kolkata went to regain their two goal lead on the 77th minute, as Augustine played a one two with Sameehg Doutie to go past the Mumbai City defence before putting the ball past Subrata at the first post. Five minutes later, Hume completed his hat trick and didna t look to be a player suffering from a goal scoring drought. Doutie layed it off for Hume to score his third goals.
Image Courtesy: ISL Media