Kolkata it is, after shoot-out

Goalless semifinal sees frenetic action, punctuated by bouts of safety-first play

December 17, 2014 10:48 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 04:51 pm IST - MARGAO

Atletico de Kolkata players celebrate after being FC Goa in the penalty shoot out to qualify for the finals of the Indian Super League , in Fatorda on Wednesday. Photo: Shaun Roy

Atletico de Kolkata players celebrate after being FC Goa in the penalty shoot out to qualify for the finals of the Indian Super League , in Fatorda on Wednesday. Photo: Shaun Roy

Jan Seda, defiant and unbeaten in 120 minutes of play (regulation time plus extra-time), could do nothing in the penalty kicks as Atletico de Kolkata slotted in four shots past the Czech Republic goalkeeper to win the second-leg semifinal 4-2 against heart-broken FC Goa at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda.

Borja Fernandez, wearing the captain’s armband following Luis Garcia’s substitution, converted the fourth kick past the FCG goalkeeper. Teammates Jose Miguel Rey, Mohd Rafi and Jofre Gonzalez blocked out boos from Goan fans and coolly placed the ball in from the spot.

For the home side, Tolgay Ozbey and Clifford Miranda were on target, while Andre Santos and Haroon Amiri missed. The first leg between these two sides had also ended goalless. Extra-time is a situation when minds numb with exhaustion and tired bodies need some external force to carry themselves over the line. ATK coach Antonio Habas and counterpart Zico brought in fresh legs, Cavin Lobo and Clifford Miranda respectively as their third and last substitutions, in a last throw of dice but nothing worked.

Goa attacked with flair, promised much but delivered little. And with Kolkata’s defence holding firm in the face of questions from Mandar Desai in the first half and Romeo Fernandes after the break, the match moved into extra-time after 90 minutes of frenetic action, punctuated by bouts of safety-first play as fatigue set in.

Romeo brought the crowd alive in the second half with a diagonal run into the heart of ATK’s defence, evading tackles with ridiculous ease and finding extra speed to arrive into space alone. His final shot, however, was not up to the mark and Bete let the ball roll away past him. Habas took out captain and marquee player Luis Garcia, sending in Jofre.

Goa poured forward in the second half and broke down the defence with triangular passing bouts. ATK survived a scare when Andre Santos moved into position for a shot from around the penalty spot, brought down by a late sliding tackle from Arnab Mondal. The referee waved play on as the fans roared their disgust at the decision.

Habas made two changes in the side which survived tough moments in the first leg. Mondal came in the defence, Baljit Sahni in the offence.

Zico interchanged defence personnel by putting Arnaulin at the centre, flanked by Haroon Amiri and Debabrata Roy. Pinheiro returned after serving his suspension, Peter Carvalho boosted the attack.

Fikru Lemessa witnessed action from the stands, soaking in the carnival atmosphere. The Ethiopian, ATK’s main striker, slotted in five goals apart from assists during the league. Coach Habas was emphatic about his non-availability for the must-win match, forcing a feared destroyer to turn into a mere watcher.

He watched anxiously as ATK’s attack took wing down the left, a twisting run from Podany coming to a halt after being tripped by Arnoulin at the expense of a free-kick. Bete, in goal at the other end, watched Romeo squeeze himself into a striking position and blast the ball into the side-netting.

The Goa midfield’s re-tackling and ball-snatching abilities kept the offence humming, the fans screaming. Mandar danced down the left flank, sidestepping challenges and displaying tricks with the ball at his feet. Goalkeeper Bete was not troubled by the Goan attempts on goal as his defenders handled threats with assurance. Seda did not have work to do under the home team bar, ATK replying with occasional raids as both teams walked out goalless.

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