ISL 2021-22: ATK Mohun Bagan back in top 4 after 2-1 win vs Hyderabad

Sandeep Shetty/Focus Sports/ ISL

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ATK Mohun Bagan extended their unbeaten run to nine games and broke into the top-four once again, with a 2-1 win over league leaders Hyderabad FC at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday.

After a goalles first half, Liston Colaco opened the scoring for ATKMB in the 56th minute with Manvir Singh (59th) doubling their advantage in the next three minutes. Joel Chianese (67th) pulled one back for Hyderabad but they couldn't prevent a third loss of the season, Hyderabad, though, still remain top of the table with 26 points from 15 games. ATK Mohun Bagan moved up to fourth with 23 in 13. Both teams started slowly but upped the ante as the game progressed. ATKMB looked the more promising side with Hugo Boumous creating a lot of chances. The Frenchman looked in the mood and combined well with Liston Colaco and David Williams as the Mariners looked to prise open Hyderabad's defence.

Boumous forced Laxmikant Kattimani into a good save while at the other end Amrinder Singh kept the Bartholomew Ogbeche at bay. Hyderabad were on the backfoot in the face of constant ATKMB probing. Against the run of play, Nikhil Poojary shot just over from a Joel Chianese low cross.

ATKMB then suffered a double setback when the excellent Boumous and ever-dependable Carl McHugh picked up injuries and had to be replaced by Joni Kauko and young Kiyan Nassiri respectively. Close to halftime, Colaco and Chianese had attempts straight at the keeper.

The second half started on a frantic note, Rohit Danu finding the crossbar with a shot after a poor ATKMB clearance from a Hyderabad free-kick.

Soon after, ATKMB took the lead. On the counter-attack, Williams found Colaco who darted down the channel, cut back and curled the ball at the far post leaving Kattimani with no chance. It was Colaco's sixth goal of the campaign.

Three minutes later, Manvir doubled the team's tally. This time Joni Kauko fed Manvir with a beautiful ball for the latter who took it past an onrushing Kattimani and slot the ball into the back of the net with ease.

Stung by a double blow in quick succession, Hyderabad went on the offensive and pulled one back when a powerful Joao Victor shot was punched only as far as Chianese by Amrinder, the Australian then guiding the ball inside the goal.

Hyderabad coach Manolo Marquez brought in Javier Siviero in place of Victor with fifteen minutes remaining on the clock in search of the equaliser.

Colaco then missed a sitter with an opening goal in front of him after he and Nassiri exchanged passes inside the six-yard box. Danu also missed a good chance to score from Akash Mishra's cross before Colaco fluffed his lines from close again, Nassiri crossing the ball to him. In the end, it didn't prove costly as ATKMB held on.