ISL 2021-22: Roy Krishna strike enough for ATK Mohun Bagan to seal semifinal spot

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:59 am

Roy Krishna scores ATK Mohun Bagan's opening goal late in the first half against Chennaiyin FC
Roy Krishna scores ATK Mohun Bagan's opening goal late in the first half against Chennaiyin FC
Sandeep Shetty/Focus Sports/ ISL

ATK Mohun Bagan rode their talisman Roy Krishna's first-half strike to sail into the semifinals for the second straight year, with a 1-0 victory against Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Thursday.

Krishna netted his fifth goal of the season and first this calendar year in the 45th minute and that proved to be the difference in the end as the Kolkata giants moved to second in the table with 37 points from 19 matches. They will take on Jamshedpur FC next on March 7 to potentially decide the team that will finish at the top of the table. Jamshedpur have two games in hand and are at the top with 37 points. They take on Odisha FC on Friday and can win the league shield with a victory.

ATKMB bossed the game from the first minute, bombing the Chennaiyin defence with constant attacks, the latter happy to sit back and try to attack on the counter. Roy Krishna gave an early warning after a Joni Kauko through ball sent him clear as the veteran Fiji striker, back in the starting XI after an injury layoff, found the post in his way.

There were no clear-cut chances after that early opportunity but ATKMB looked the likelier to score before Chennaiyin started growing into the game, keeping their opponents at bay despite all their adventures in the final third. However, just before halftime, Kauko provided a similar pass for Krishna who, unlike at the start of the game, slammed home past a diving Samik Mitra in the Chennaiyin goal.

Chennaiyin started the second half on the front foot and almost got their reward three minutes into the hour-mark when a Reagan Singh effort deflected off an ATKMB shirt and came off the post. It was an open half but ATKMB defended well to see off the tie and grab an important three points, although one would have been enough to seal their semi berth. Chennaiyin, already out of the playoffs race after a forgettable season, finished their engagements with 20 points from the same number of games.