Joao Victor’s penality strike helped Hyderabad FC hold ATK Mohun Bagan to 1-1 draw.© ISL
Hyderabad FC rode on Joao Victor’s second half penalty to hold ATK Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw, sustaining their unbeaten run in the Indian Super League, in Margao on Friday. The duo of Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh looked threatening up front but missed a flurry of possibilities, although veteran Subrata Pal pulled off some fine saves beneath the Hyderabad post to retain a clean score-sheet in the very first-half. Manvir lastly broke the deadlock in the 54th minute capitalising on a defensive lapse by Odei Onaindia. But the Mariners’ joy lasted just more than 10 minutes as they conceded a soft penalty right after Nikhil Poojary was brought down by Manvir with a faint touch.
The Brazilian midfielder pounced on the chance with a thunderous strike that kissed Arindam Bhattacharja’s fingers prior to finding into the back of the net.
The outcome meant ATK Mohun Bagan failed to get a win from two matches to stay on second spot with 10 points from 5 matches.
ATKMB had lost to Jamshedpur FC in their final match.
Playing with just two foreigners in Onaindia and Victor, the ‘Men in Yellow’ put up a cohesive show to stay unbeaten with six points from 4 matches.
ATKMB had an early chance in the ninth minute when Roy Krishna came close to scoring right after Pritam Kotal delivered an inch-excellent cross at the far post.
But Pal stood in their way thwarting Roy Krishna’s effective header. Roy Krishna was at it once more in the 17th minute right after a excellent run into the box but the Fijian’s work went wide at the far post.