NorthEast United beat ATK Mohun Bagan after some controversial decisions from the referee
XtraTime Web Desk – NorthEast United beat ATK Mohun Bagan 2-1 but couple of controversial decisions from the referee made the Mariners furious on internet and their coach Antonio Lopez Habas was disappointed post their match.
The first half was more or less quite as both the teams measured each other. Without Edu Garcia in the park, ATK Mohun Bagan looked a bit more defensive and Antonio Lopez Habas probably once again planned for a late party, however it didn’t work out for the Spaniard.
Machado got a good chance in the 32nd minute of the match when he took a shot from just right outside the box but Arindam Bhattacharya was right at it to save it. That was the only good chance either of the team created in the first 45.
Both the teams picked up in the second half. The pace, the aggression and most importantly the goals were all there in the second half. NorthEast picked the first one in the 60th minute, courtesy to Luis Machado. The controversy started right from there. It looked like Machado fouled Tiri during the build up but referee didn’t think that way. The sideline referee looked to pick his flag but he however didn’t and the goal was counted and NorthEast took the lead.
12 minutes later, Roy Krishna scored and ended his goal drought. He scored from a great position and Subhasish RoyChowdhury had nothing do during that goal.
Post ATK Mohun Bagan’s goal, both the teams incresed their pace and were desperate to score the winning goal. Khalid Jamil’s side kept his defence intact and was playing attacking football throughout. Arindam Bhattacharya once again saved ATK Mohun Bagan in cruicial times but couldn’t do anything or had very little to do when Fede Gallego scored a brilliant goal in the 81st minute to put NorthEast ahead.
ATK Mohun Bagan then went all in. Roy Krishna missed a great opportunity but the Fizian failed to control. In another attempt, NorthEast made a goal-line clearance to keep Highlanders in the driving seat. Another controversial moment came when RoyChowdhury touched Krishna during an attack and not the ball. Roy Krishna was furious and was asking for a penalty but referee once again denied ATK Mohun Bagan’s claim. Thus, NorthEast United beat ATK Mohun Bagan by 2-1.
ATK Mohun Bagan coach Antonio Lopez Habas was disappointed with the referee’s decision. He thinks NorthEast’s first goal doesn’t count because of the foul. On the other hand, Khalid Jamil gave credit to his players for the massive win.