Half Time Report: Match brilliantly poised as ATK make last-minute comeback to level score

Starting Line-Ups:

Atletico de Kolkata - Amrinder Singh, Rino Anto, Arnab Mondal, Tiri, Augustin Fernandes, Jaime Gavilan, Borja Fernandez, Valdo, Sameehg Doutie, Arata Izumi, Iain Hume. 

Chennaiyin FC - Karanjit Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Alessandro Potenza, Dhanachandra Singh, Thoi Singh, Manuele Blasi, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Khabra, Elano, Fikru Teferra

THE DEFENDING ISL CHAMPIONS Atletico de Kolkata made a fitting comeback after falling behind at home to Chennaiyin FC to make it 1-1 at the end of the first half.

Coming off a draw against Delhi away from home, ATK coach decided to make two changes to the starting line up: Arata Izumi and Arnab Mondal got back into the team, dropping Jewel Raja and Nalappan Mohanraj. Marquee Helder Postiga didn't make the team despite rumours of him being fit to play, and new signing Degan Lekic started from the bench.

Chennaiyin FC, who came into the game with the onus to break out of their bottom table status, made five changes to the side that lost to NorthEast United at home. Alessandro Potenza, Manuele Blasi, Fikru Teferra and Harmanjot Khabra came back into the team's outfield, while Materazzi decided to use Karanjit Singh at goal; choosing a 4-4-1-1 line-up with Fikru as the target man with Elano just behind him.

The visitors were determined to bounce back and it showed in their game from the first minute. They played a cautious game, hardly allowing much room in their defence, while their midfield was doing well to push the attacking agenda. 

An early free kick saw Elano send a dangerous bender into the ATK box. Amrinder rushed out to interfere as Alves readied to make the header; but he was caught offside and the danger was averted. 

Things were not looking so well for the home team as they kept losing the ball around the midfield. Their defenders were tackling and blocking all over the place to keep things level. Tiri pulled off a similar block on Elano who took the shot not far from the penalty box. The ball went to Thoi Singh who couldn't do much either.

Then near the half hour mark Fikru and Raphael combined to make inroads into the ATK box. Raphael shook off two tackle attempts and took the shot; Amrinder fell short. Chennaiyin FC were 1-0 ahead, and in control. 

ATK, under pressure now, began a comeback struggle. A good ball from Tiri found Hume who managed to pass it to Sameehg Doutie whose advance towards the goal was stopped by a sliding Dhanachandra Singh.

But Doutie continued being a nuisance for Chennaiyin FC. Next minute he earner a corner. The resulting corner kick, which he took himself, forced Karanjit to come forward to attempt a clearance but he couldn't reach it. But luckily the situation didn't get out of hand.

Minutes later, Fikru, in possession, broke the ATK defensive line but his poor finishing move went straight to the keeper. Kolkata immediately countered, with a cross from Arata finding Hume inside the box but the Canadian striker's header was just above the crossbar.

But mere seconds before the first half was to end, the defending champions finally got their break-through. It was a free kick by Borja Fernandez that Karanjit did great to punch away. The ball ended up with Sameehg Doutie who was standing just outside the penalty box, bang in the middle but with a forest of legs in front of him. He took the shot, fast and low. The ball went through the restless limbs like a cat running through a bush. And it managed to evade everyone and ended up at the back of the net. Atletico de Kolkata were even. The half ended 1-1.

The match, at the break, is briliantly poised. The visitors started well and dominated proceedings at first but the home team came back with a few choice moves. Depending on who manages to get into a better rhythm in the next 20 minutes, this game can go either way. For now, this contest, and the whole league table situation in the ISL, is brimming with possibilities.