Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata managed to see off the challenge of eight placed Chennaiyin FC, as they defeated the former league stage winners 2-1 in Round 10 of the Hero Indian Super League.
Chennaiyin FC took the lead through Rafael Augusto but failed to hold on to the lead, as Atletico de Kolkata managed to stage a comeback after an inspired Sameehg Doutie made sure of a home with a goal and an assist.
Atletico de Kolkata made two regulation changes that saw India international Arnab Mondal return to the lineup alongside Izumi Arata in place of Napallan Mohanraj and Jewel Raja respectively.While Marco Materazzi made quite a few changes that saw Harmanjot Khabra, Manuel Blasi, Alessandro Potenza, Karanjit Singh and Fikru return to the lineup
Both teams made a cagey start to the match as neither team was able to gain the advantage in the opening quarter of the game, with Chennaiyin FC looking to play long ball while Atletico looked to play through the right wing.
Chennaiyin soon gained the upper hand in the match and was rewarded with a goal after some horrendous defending from Atletico de Kolkata defenders. Raphael Augusto scored on the 27th minute to break the deadlock for Chennaiyin, as Augusto reached to Fikrua s return pass but both Atletico de Kolkata defenders Augustine Fernandes and Mondal failed to clear the danger
Fikru will cursing his luck after beating the offside trap on the 41st minute, had a clear chance at the Atletico de Kolkata goal but shoot it directly at Amrinder to waste his chance.
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Doutie, a live-wire throughout the first half, scored his first goal of the Hero Indian Super League after Karanjit Singha s half hearted punch from Jamie Gavilana s free kick reached him outside the box as he made no mistake to earn Atletico de Kolkata the equaliser. Dhanachandra Singh after a superb first half where he made two immense clearance, first with a last ditch tackle to stop Doutie, who was free on goal from Iain Humea s header on 35th minute, and then on the 44th minute after Dhanachandraa s presence put off Humea s header but will cursing himself for handling the ball in the added time of the first half.
Chennaiyin after conceding the goal late in the first half saw an inspired ATK start the second half brilliantly and the Doutie was again the man as Hume provided Kolkata with the lead. Hume made a late run inside the box completely unmarked, with Chennaiyin defenders caught ball watching as Doutiea s pull back found Hume.
Chennaiyin defenders though had to thank Karanjit after Hume beat the offside trap and had nearly reached the ball with acres of space on the 72nd minute.
Atletico de Kolkata managed to hold on the lead in the remaining minutes, despite a late flourish of Chennaiyin attacks.