ISL 2020-21 playoffs: Habas contained with ATK Mohun Bagan despite conceding late against NorthEast United

By Team Newsable | First Published Mar 7, 2021, 12:00 PM IST

ATK Mohun Bagan managed to finish second in the Indian Super League 2020-21 table, while NorthEast United FC was placed third. While NEU is playing the tournament since 2014, it has never won the title. Meanwhile, ATKMB is playing its maiden ISL season.

ATK Mohun Bagan squandered its early lead in the closing stages and settled for a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in the opening leg of the semis of the Indian Super League 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Goa on Saturday. The teams would now meet in the second leg to decide upon the winner and the eventual finalist.

It all began with David Williams opening goal in the 34th minute, with Roy Krishna coming up with the assist. However, Idrissa Sylla levelled it in the 94th minute, following an assist from Machado.

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After the game, ATKMB boss Antonio Lopez Habas seemed to be contained with the performance, despite wasting the lead late. "I am happy. We played the first 70 minutes very well. We have one match more. Today is a draw and now, we have 90 minutes more and I have to prepare my team for the next match. I am happy with the performance," he said, reports Sportstar.

ALSO READ: ATK Mohun Bagan held 1-1 by NorthEast United FC in semis first leg

"We knew that Brown is not on the pitch. We also did not have Edu Garcia. We have had problems with injuries to foreigners all season. No excuses. I have a lot of confidence in my team. We have to play well in the next game. Garcia and Sandesh still injured. No time to recover. We will try to get them ready," he added.

Meanwhile, NEU interim manager Khalid Jamil applauded his team's hard work. "The players did all the hard work. They deserve all the credit. They have worked hard and they have the belief. ATKMB is a strong team and has plenty of quality. We have to prepare well. If you are mentally strong, you will go ahead," he reckoned.

"After conceding in in the first half, we were thinking in the dressing room that we must make an early change. However, I waited for a while. Sylla was also not fully fit and I thought I would give him 30 minutes. He and Britto did a good job," he concluded.

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