‘Super-sub’ Ishan snatches point from ATK Mohun Bagan for a draw with FC Goa

Edu Garcia-ATK Mohun Bagan

It was another draw in the Hero Indian Super League as tonight’s Super Sunday match between ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa resulted in a 1-1 scoreline, thanks to Ishan Pandita‘s equaliser in the 85th minute. Ishan, subbed in on the 80th replacing Lenny Rodrigues, turned out to be the night’s ‘super-sub’ as he saved FC Goa from an imminent defeat in the hands of the Mariners.

Earlier, the deadlock was only broken in the 75th minute as Edu Garcia scored for ATK Mohun Bagan. The Mariners seemed a bit different from their usual defensive tactics. Instead, they looked like they adopted a more attacking style of play. It was evident from the get-go as ATK Mohun Bagan’s Carl McHugh made two attempts at goal in the first couple of minutes of the match.

That did not discourage the Gaurs from playing their style of attack, as Jorge Mendoza and Brandon Fernandes kept the ATK Mohun Bagan defenders busy. The ball kept going back and forth at the Fatorda stadium as both teams played attacking football. Carl McHugh and Prabir Das kept their tails up and kept attempting shots towards the goal. 

The first legit opportunity came for ATK Mohun Bagan when they won a corner in the 27th minute. Edu Garcia curled in a ball for Subhasish Bose. Bose was able to connect the header but somehow it kept low and bounced up and came off the crossbar. 

Arindam Bhattacharya was tested in the 36th minute as Saviour Gama ran into the Mariner’s box and made a shot towards goal but Bhattacharya got low and made a good save. 

The second half again started with a similar approach to the first one. Both the teams were up and attacking again, and hitting the woodwork time and again. It kept on till the 75th minute. Prior to that, it seemed as if it’d draw out to be another goalless draw but Edu Garcia’s brace breathed new life into the players. The Mariners won a free-kick just outside the box and Edu Garcia scored a stunner directly from the spot-kick as Naveen Kumar‘s desperate dive went in vain.

It seemed like the job was mostly done for the Mariners but FC Goa made a couple of substitutions in the 80th minute. Just five minutes later came the equaliser in the form of a good reflex shot from Ishan Pandita. Edu Bedia‘s corner was headed goalwards by James Donachie. Arindam Bhattacharya showed good reflexes as he parried away the ball but it was collected by Ishan Pandita and shot towards the goal. The two sides tried to score a winner but it was not to come even as the referee signalled the end after the 5 minutes of extra time. 

HERO OF THE MATCH: Savior Gama

The Club Award was shared by both the teams as the match ended in what was an entertaining draw. Edu Garcia won the DHL Winning Pass of the Match while the Hero of the Match award went to Saviour Gama for his relentless performance in the FC Goa left flank.

As the teams share the spoils, there has been no chance in their position in the table. ATK Mohun Bagan is at the 2nd position in the table, with 21 points from 11 matches. FC Goa is at the 3rd position, with 19 points from 12 matches. ATK Mohun Bagan will face a well-settled Chennaiyin FC on January 21st, and FC Goa faces an energetic Kerala Blasters up next, on the 23rd of January.