Luis Garcia scripted deliverance for Atletico de Kolkata which ended a streak of winless outings by downing NorthEast United FC by a solitary goal at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
Garcia found the net early in the second session as the home side held on to the slender lead to ensure itself the full quota of points.
Since winning its last match in the fourth round away against FC Goa, Atletico Kolkata (ATK) has played out three draws and suffered a loss before returning to winning ways in the ninth round on Tuesday.
ATK met with stiff resistance from the visitors. The opening session thus saw the duel confined mostly to the midfield as both the sides failed to come up with the effort that could make the difference in the attacking third.
The big opportunity for ATK came near the half-hour mark when N. Mohanraj chugged up the flank unchallenged and essayed a floater inside the NEU FC box. Defender Robin Gurung missed the flight of the ball leaving Garcia with a shot. The Spanish World Cupper let loose a rasping half volley but his effort was kept out by Joan Capdevila.
The combination of Durga Boro and Alen Deory in the NEUFC attack sought inroads into the ATK bastion with repeated raids. But, with Arnab Mondal and Jose Miguel keeping a close vigil on the host backline, NEUFC found its raids dying out prematurely.
Things turned around for ATK after the break as Garcia was moved to a more offensive role to give Fikru Lemessa company upfront.
The break through came immediately thereafter as Borja Fernandes snapped an NEUFC build-up with a nice interception and released Jofre Mateu on the left. The ATK winger set up a nice cross as Garcia flew in from middle and finished with a brilliant header.
The hosts had another chance to consolidate their lead but substitute Arnal Llibert’s flicked attempt in the 79th minute could not beat the NEU FC custodian T.P. Rehenesh.
The win consolidated AtK’s position on top giving it 16 points from nine matches while NEUFC remained on 10 points from nine matches.
The result: Atletico Kolkata 1 (Luis Garcia 50) bt NorthEast United FC 0.
