ISL 2021-22: ATKMB begin Juan Ferrando reign with win over NEUFC

Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:01 am

Hugo Boumous of ATK Mohun Bagan scores against NorthEast United FC in their ISL match.
Hugo Boumous of ATK Mohun Bagan scores against NorthEast United FC in their ISL match.
Sandeep Shetty/Focus Sports/ ISL

ATK Mohun Bagan's new coach Juan Ferrando got off to a winning start as his side defeated a spirited NorthEast United FC 3-2 in a thrilling Indian Super League game at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Tuesday.

Ferrando jumped ship from FC Goa after ATKMB let go of Antonio Lopez Habas in a dramatic turn of events over the last week. Ferrando looked unfazed by the noise around him and went about his job, but was rocked early on as VP Suhair gave NorhEast the lead in the second minute.

Hugo Boumous (53rd, 76th) scored a brace after Liston Colaco (45th) equalised for ATKMB but Mashoor Shereef (87th) got his team in the game late on. In the end, the Kolkata side held firm and recorded their first win in four matches. ATKMB now have 11 points from seven games. NorthEast United remain in ninth spot with seven points from eight matches.

It was not a fairytale start for Ferrando as ATKMB boss as NorthEast went ahead in just the second minute. Mathias Coureur floated in a delicious corner towards the near post where Suhair was on hand to nod home.

Roy Krishna had a couple of half-chances thereafter but good reflexes from Mirshad Michu in NorthEast goal and Krishna's inefficiency keep the ball in target kept the score to 1-0.

Just when it looked like NorthEast would go into the break with a lead, Michu scuffed a goal kick and the ball fell to Krishna who swung in a delightful cross for Colaco to head into the far corner.

ATKMB decided to go up a gear and Boumous made it 2-1 soon after the restart. NorthEast United failed to clear their lines for too long, leading to Subhasish Bose cutting the ball back from the left byline for Boumous to outfox the defender with a lovely piece of skill and tap home.

Kauko was at it from the off as the Finland footballer played a crucial part in the third goal, setting up Boumous with a beautifully weighted pass for the latter to slot it wide of the keeper and into the net.

Against the run of play, substitute Shereef got NorthEast back in the game with a powerful shot from inside the box with the dying minutes of the match. But ATKMB held on to an one-goal lead and clinched all three points.