ISL 2021-22: Hyderabad grab advantage with big win over ATK Mohun Bagan in semifinal first leg

Sandeep Shetty/Focus Sports/ ISL

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Hyderabad FC put one foot in what would be their first-ever final after scripting a come-from-behind 3-1 win over ATK Mohun Bagan in the first-leg of the 2021-22 Indian Super League second semifinal at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday.

Roy Krishna helped ATKMB take the lead but the former finalists' joy was short-lived as Bartholomew Ogbeche (45th) equalised on the cusp of halftime, and later Yasir Mohammad (58th) and Javier Siviero (64th) added to the tally.

The two teams will go up against each other again on Wednesday (March 16) for the second leg with ATKMB needing to find the back of the net at least twice to stand a chance of advancing to their second successive summit clash.

ATKMB looked to have got the better of Hyderabad in the opening exchanges. Hyderabad did miss Asish Rai and his absence was felt most when they fell behind early on in the game. Liston Colaco was once again to the fore, causing more than a few problems for Nim Dorjee Tamang. Akash Mishra was at fault for Krishna's opening goal but Nim Dorjee never quite had the measure of Colaco at the first place. The winger charged ahead after receiving the ball and outwitted Nim Dorjee to whip in a delightful cross to Krishna who converted the chance.

Hyderabad saw more of the ball but ATKMB dropped deep when needed to starve the likes of Javier Siviero and Ogbeche service from the middle of the park or the full backs.

Ogbeche's industry, though, did not go in vain as he found the back of the net just before the halftime whistle. It was a record-shattering goal, the Nigerian equalling the record for the most goals in a single season after Juanan dinked the ball for him to nod home from close. Yasir Mohammad's corner was not cleared by ATKMB defenders and the ball fell to Juanan who saw Ogbeche at the right place at the right time to make it 1-1. Sandesh Jhingan shook his head, knowing he could have done better.

The second-half belonged to Hyderabad as they scored two goals in the space of six minutes to script a comeback after an underwhelming first 45 minutes. It was a double blow for ATKMB as not only Yasir Mohammad scored a goal after Jhingan and Tiri collided in an attempt to clear the ball, but Tiri had to be stretchered off. Minutes later, Siviero headed in from a corner to make it 3-1.

ATKMB desperately looked for a goal to trim the margin with substitute Kiyan Nassiri coming closest as he found the post from close range.