Half Time Report: Back to back goals unsettle the Gaurs as ATK take a commanding lead

Starting Line-Ups:

Atletico de Kolkata - Amrinder Singh, Tiri, Arnab Mondal, Rino Anto, Oftense Nato, Sameehg Doutie, Augustin Fernandes, Jaime Gavilan, Borja Fernandez, Mohammed Rafique, Iain Hume

FC Goa - Laxmikant Kattimani, Lucio, Gregory Arnolin, Narayan Das, Raju Gaikwad, Nicolau Colaco, Jonatan Lucca, Jofre, Leo Moura, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Dudu Omagbemi

BACK TO BACK GOALS from Sameehg Doutie and Borja Fernandez saw Atletico de Kolkata unsettle visitors FC Goa and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half of a top-of-the-table round 11 fixture tonight.

Coming off morale-boosting victories of their own, both teams came into this game with two changes each to their squads from the previous games. Mohammed Rafique and Oftense Nato were included in the ATK starting line-up as Arata Izumi and Valdo were dropped by coach Habas. Goa coach Zico, meanwhile, decided to start Narayan Das and Nicolau Colaco ahead of Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Desai.

At the beginning the home team went through some scary moments. A cross from Narayan reached Dudu who forwarded it to Moura who sent in a swift volley but it missed the mark. Then Rino Anto caused another tense moment when Dudu intercepted his back pass but the Nigerian striker's shot missed the goal and ATK survived.

But after this Kolkata slowly came back into the game. Over the next few minutes they kept more of the ball, made a few runs and earned a couple of well-placed free kicks that lifted the pressure. And then, around the 20th minute, Gavilan found Sameegh Doutie who breached the Goa defensive line and slotted it right in. ATK were now leading 1-0.

And before Goa could settle down ATK scored again. It was Borja who made the key pass to Samehg Doutie who shot it back at the ex Real Madrid medio who was in space. The finish was flawless. 2-0.

Goa immediately went on a defensive posture to keep this from becoming a goalfest. It worked to the extent that they did not consider another goal in that half; but ATK retained a foothold on the game. 

Doutie made a threatening run into the Goa box fooling two defenders but Lucio made a timely tackle to claim the ball. Then they attempted a counter; Jonatan tried to feed Dudu inside the ATK box but Tiri kept him under pressure and the ball went to keeper Amrinder.

Tempers flared, as is known to happen whenever these two teams meet. Lucio and Iain Hume got into argument over tussle for the ball but thankfully nobody tried a head-butt. 

Augustine Fernandes made a good pass to Iain Hume but Laxmikant was alert; he rushed ahead to put pressure on the Canadian striker and make the save.

Before the half was over, FC Goa went for a subsitution; a fledging Gregory Arnolin was replaced by Denson Devadas. Perhaps this is an indication that Zico's strategy for a second-half comeback is already starting to take shape?

The half ended with ATK leading 2-0. If they manage to get full points here they will go to the top of the ISL table, and pretty much ensure a place in the semi-finals. The way the match has played out so far, that seems to be the likely outcome tonight. But Goa certainly have the firepower to make a multi-goal chase. We're in for a thoroughly entertaining half here at the Salt Lake Stadium.