Kolkata: ATK Mohun Bagan qualified for the playoffs by defeating Kerala Blasters in the battle of the Indian Super League. ATK won by two goals to one. With the win, Mohun Bagan also reached the third position in the table. With this, Blasters lost to ATK in both the matches of the season. Kerala Blasters had already qualified for the playoffs.
Mohun Bagan, who came to play in Salt Lake with playoff hopes, were shocked from the start. Blasters ATK scored in the 16th minute of the match. After a beautiful move, the goal came from a pass given by Apostle Giannu from inside Mohun Bagan’s penalty box. Diamantakos hit the target with a great shot.
But the Blasters’ joy was short-lived. ATK hit back in the 23rd minute through Carl McHugh. The first half was tied with both teams scoring one goal each.
ATK coach Juan Ferrando replaced Hugo Baumes with Federico Gallego in the second half. Later, both teams created good scoring opportunities. But the fort could not be breached. In the 64th minute, Rahul KP was sent off after seeing a second yellow card, which was a huge blow for Blasters.
Later, ATK continuously attacked for the winning goal. In the 71st minute, Carl McHugh broke through the Blasters defense once again and hit the back of the net for Kerala Blasters. Even after the goal, Mohun Bagan continued to attack. The Blasters defense worked hard to stop the attacks. Blasters came back with a loss in Salt Lake too as Mohun Bagan tried to fight back the goal.