Mohun Bagan strengthened their position towards the top of the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) standings after a 1-0 win over FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium yesterday with Roy Krishna scoring the only goal from the penalty spot late in the second half.

Mohun Bagan looked to press Goa high up the pitch and were territorially superior despite being second best in terms of possession. It took 28 minutes for either side to register the first shot of the game on target.

Antonio Lopez Habas’ men were also inches away from taking the lead in the 40th minute after David Williams controlled a diagonal ball brilliantly to set himself up for a powerful left-footed shot from range that rattled the post.

However, they couldn’t quite break the deadlock as both sides went into the break goalless and ATK Mohun Bagan’s record of not scoring in the first half this season remained intact.

Mohun Bagan were the better team for much of the match despite Goa hogging possession of the ball. Goa failed to register a single shot on target in the first half as Bagan nullified their attacking threat and controlled the midfield.

Goa began the second half with some attacking intent, but it was Mohun Bagan that hit the target first courtesy of a direct freekick by Williams in 54th minute that the goalkeeper saved comfortably. The Gaurs registered their first effort of the game on target a few minutes later when Alberto Noguera headed a cross from the right into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Just as it looked like the game might be heading for a goalless draw, Kolkata got a golden chance to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after Aiban Dohling mistimed a tackle in the box.

Bagan won a penalty just over five minutes after Goa claimed a spot kick themselves. Krishna went down in the box after an ill-timed tackle from substitute Aibanbha Dohling. Krishna stepped up to the spot and finished powerfully into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0 for Mohun Bagan.

Goa brought on Brandon Fernandes and Jorge Ortiz Mendoza, whose arrivals provided them some much needed impetus.

Goa though weren’t about to go down without a fight and threw men forward in their bid to score a late leveller. The shots from distance by Edu Bedia and Saviour Gama aside, Goa didn’t really test Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper much in the closing stages.

Bagan, however, spent a nervy last few minutes as FC Goa peppered their box with crosses and shots. Goa defender Saviour Gama took a shot from well outside the box. The ball was travelling towards goal and it took a brilliant dive from Arindam Bhattacharja to tip it over the bar.

Hero of the Match: Carl McHugh; DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Pronay Halder (ATK Mohun Bagan).

Today’s Match (Dec. 17)
ODISHA Vs BENGALURU FC
GMC Stadium Bambolim, Goa, 7.30 pm

Tomorrow’s Match (Dec. 18)
NORTHEAST UNITED Vs JAMSHEDPUR
Tilak Maidan Stadium Vasco da Gama, Goa, 7.30 pm

Yesterday’s Result
ATK MOHUN BAGAN – 1 beat GOA – 0

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