ATK Mohun Bagan suffered a 2-4 loss at the hands of Gokulam Kerala in the opening match of the AFC Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Vincento Alberto Anesse’s men took the lead through Luka Majcen (50’) only for it to be cancelled out by a Pritam Kotal equaliser (53’). The Malabrians struck back with two quick-fire goals from Rishad (57’), Majcen (65’), and super-sub Jithin (89’) to ensure they collected three points against the Mariners who failed to overturn the deficit despite a Liston Colaco free-kick (80’).
The Mariners started the contest on the frontfoot making the most of their possession, as Roy Krishna struck a long-range shot right after making an interception at the centre of the pitch, which was saved by Gokulam Kerala FC goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar in the 6th minute.
In the 16th minute, the Mariners continued to explode forward, this time through Liston Colaco on the left flank whose cross was squandered high above the post by Roy Krishna.
Seconds later, Joni Kauko danced past the Malabarian midfield to find Roy Krishna open on the left wing who went for a shot from his weak foot but was denied by the post.
Then, the Malabarians put the Mariners on the backfoot after progressing forward on a counter through Jourdaine Fletcher who smashed it right in front of ATK Mohun Bagan keeper Amrinder Singh who comfortably saved it.
Gokulam Kerala FC got their first booking of the game as Emil Benny received a yellow card for bringing down Manvir Singh outside the edge of the box in the 24th minute.
Juan Ferrando’s men continued to trouble the Malabarian defence, this time through a brilliant one-two between David Williams and Krishna who found Kauko free in the box but the Finnish international placed his shot right in the hands of the shot-stopper Dargar.
The Green and Maroons were dealt with a blow as Tiri was replaced by Ashutosh Mehta, as the former had to be stretchered off the field as he suffered a huge blow on his knee after taking down Luka Majcen on the counter while also receiving a yellow card for the challenge.
Following an action packed first-half, both sides went goalless into the break.
At the start of the first half, Anesse’s men failed to capitalise as Luka Majcen missed a big chance after failing to convert from a pole position through a brilliantly put ball by Emil Benny.
The Malabarians drew first blood in the 50th minute through Luka Majcen, who was left unmarked inside the box and finished off from inside the box through a Tahir Zaman cross who did very well to cut back from the right wing to find Majcen.
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