The second leg was as intense as the first between the two defensive powerhouses of the league. Both teams headed into the second leg without any advantage, making it a knockout game, but they couldn’t score, so the match headed into extra time and then penalties. ATK Mohun Bagan beat the defending champions Hyderabad FC by 4-3 on penalties, booking their spot in the finals, where they will face an in-form Bengaluru FC.
It’s the second time that ATK Mohun Bagan has reached the finals of the ISL in just 3 years of their incorporation. ATK, a former club of the ISL, got merged with the prestigious Mohun Bagan Athletic Club to form ATK Mohun Bagan, which played its first ISL in 2020. They have reached the playoffs for the continuous 3rd time, so they do know how to handle the pressure in big games, which can be clearly seen through their performance yesterday.
ATK Mohun Bagan, the host, had a great start into the match, where they created a lot of early chances but couldn’t find the net. The Mariners dominated the games with frequent attacks, but Hyderabad’s steady defense didn’t take a foot back, and they managed to keep a clean sheet for the entire duration, including extra time as well. Captain Pritam Kotal sealed the win for his team by scoring on the last attempt. Hyderabad-reliant stars like Obgbeche and Siverio, who massively contributed to their team’s success, failed to score the penalties in the semifinal, which led to their elimination.
ATK Mohun Bagan took revenge for last season’s semifinal, where Hyderabad FC beat them. But still, ATK has to work on a lot of things because their performance in the semifinals was not enough to win the title.
