AFC Cup 2021: ATK Mohun Bagan thrash Maziya 3-1 to go on top of Group D

Roy Krishna scored his second goal of the ongoing AFC Cup against Maziya at Male on Saturday. Image Source: Twitter

Xtra Time Web Desk: An inspiring display in the second half led by substitute Hugo Boumous saw ATK Mohun Bagan come from behind to defeat Maziya Recreation and Sports Club of Maldives 3-1 in the AFC Cup match at Male on Saturday. The win saw Antonio Lopez Habas side go on top of Group D. Liston Colaco (48”), Roy Krishna (63”) and Manvir Singh (76”) were on target for the Mariners while Aisam Ibrahim scored the only goal for the home side.

It was the home side who took the lead from a counter attack. Cornelius Stewart sent in a perfect cross from the right to find a rushing Aisam Ibrahim who controls the ball to perfection to hit it at the back of the net in the 24th minute.

Maziya came close to extending their lead in the 44th minute with Hamza Mohamed making a brilliant run from the left flank inside the box as the ATKMB defense fail to contain him in his stride. The score line read 1-0 in favour of the home side at half time.

Habas brought in Ashutosh Mehta in place of Sumit Rathi at the start of second half. The move worked immediately as Ashustosh got into the act with an inch perfect cross from the right to find Liston Colaco who scored the equalizer with his header in the 48th minute.

In a bid to get full points Habas made double substitutes with Hugo Boumous coming in for David Williams while SK Sahil replacing Deepak Tangri.

Boumous immediately made his presence felt as his through pass found Liston Colaco with only the goalkeeper to beat but his shot was blocked. Roy Krishna made no mistake from the rebound to make it 2-1 for the Green and Maroon in the 63rd minute.

Maziya almost equalized couple of minutes later as Cornelius Stewart’s right footer from outside the box beat Amarinder to hit the goalpost

Boumous was once again into the act as his defence splitting pass found a rushing Manvir who kept his calm to put the ball at the back of the net to seal the match in the 76th minute.

With this win the Mariners go on top of Group D with 6 points, two points clear of second placed Basundhara Kings. All they need is a point in the final fixture against the Bangladesh opponents on August 24.