ISL: ATK, Goa play out 1-1 draw

Kolkata, Oct 16 (IANS) Atletico de Kolkata played out their third draw of the season as FC Goa held the former champions to a 1-1 stalemate in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium here on Sunday.

South African winger Sameehg Doutie (6th) and Jofre Mateu (77th, penalty) netted either side of halftime as both outfits played out their third tie in ISL history. ATK's Stephen Pearson and Goa's Sanjay Balmuchu were given the marching orders in the second half.

Courtesy Sunday's result, FC Goa opened their account after four matches but remained on rock-bottom while ATK moved to third with six points from four matches.

Zico ringed in as many as five changes with Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, Keenan Almeida, Gregory Arnolin, Richarlyson Barbosa and Robin Singh included at the expense of Laxmikant Kattimani, Reinaldo, Fulganco Cordozo, Lucio and Sahil Tavora.

Atletico made three changes with Tiri (injured), Bikramjit Singh and Juan Belencoso making way for Henrique Sereno who made his ISL debut, Abhinash Ruidas and Stephen Pearson.

The hosts got into the act straightaway. Hume was blocked by Raju Gaikwad near the box giving away a cheap free kick.

Lara stepped up to swing in a delicious ball which was a bit too long but Hume headed it into the area.

Raju was the culprit again as he failed to clear the ball out of danger with Doutie on hand to volley home a sumptuous goal from just outside the box.

Goa's best chance of tha half fell to Robin whose shot from close forcing Debjit to produce an acrobatic save at his near post.

At the break, ATK led 1-0.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half was eventful as both sides saw the dreaded red. First the home team suffered a setback when Pearson found himself at the end of a harsh refereeing decision for a fairly innocuous tackle on Trindade Goncalves.

The visitors' advantage was shortlived though as Balmuchu saw a second yellow for bringing down the impressive Prabir Das at the hour mark.

Changes had to be ringed in by both managers with Molina drafting in Bikramjit Singh in place of Ruidas and Zico replacing the largely ineffective Robin for Mandar Rao Desai. Romeo Fernandes was also introduced in place of Keenan to add teeth to Goa's flailing arsenal.

Goa equalised against the run of play when Jofre's corner was deemed to have been handled by Borja inside the box. The former Barcelona midfielder player slotted home from the spot sending Debjit the wrong way.

--IANS

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