Atletico de Kolkata are atop the Indian Super League table right now, but they may not be after the completion of all the league matches this season. The champions couldn't get past a resurgent Mumbai City FC side at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday night, as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.
Sony Norde scored a brace, while Sunil Chhetri also got a goal for the away side. Arata Izumi and Iain Hume provided the consolation for the home side.
Norde is a favourite in Kolkata, especially for Mohun Bagan fans, and this showed once again after the Haitian scored the opener of the night in the match. Never mind the side, but Norde getting a goal in his domestic club's home stadium, was cheered by the home and away fans alike.
The goal came in the 26th minute after Selim Belachour played a clever pass to the Haitian, after seeing him completely unmarked inside the box. Norde twisted and turned to pull the trigger with his left foot, and although Juan Calatayud dived to get a hold on the ball, the Spanish custodian couldn't stop it.
Mumbai City FC really looked the better side in the first half as they had nothing but pride to play for. They kept creating chances with Norde, Benachour, and Sunil Chhetri taking some decent potshots on goal to keep the ATK defence at constant pressure. The home side, too, posed trouble for Subrata Paul and the Mumbai City defence as Iain Hume remained a constant threat in attack.
The Canadian did get his name on the scoresheet moments before half time as he slotted in a penalty low into the corner of the goal. The referee pointed to the spot after Pratesh Shirodkar made a needless challenge with his hand to prevent Mohammad Rafique to get a foot on the ball inside the box.
Mumbai City had a massive chance to get their lead once again as the trio of Chhetri, Norde, and Benachour combined to create a goalscoring opportunity. There was a great chance for the ex-Tunisia international to get on the scoresheet, but he hesitated in pulling the trigger, and the ATK defence cleared the ball out in time.
Pavel Cmovs made a superb goalline clearance for Mumbai City in the 66th minute to prevent Jaime Gavilan from getting a sure goal from a free-kick. The away side played with their heart out and it showed as Chhetri and Norde took back-to-back shots on goal before the 80th minute, but to no avail.
The Indian talisman, though, got his seventh goal of the ISL this season as he snatched back the lead for Mumbai after converting from the spot in the 82st minute. ATK defender Tiri was at fault after he got his challenge on Aguilera inside the box horribly wrong.
The game was waiting for late action and both teams provided it. Arata Izumi struck at the death to make the score 2-2, but the score remained so for just some seconds. It was deja-vu this time as well as Sony Norde's powerful shot from the right on goal, following a pass by Benachour, saw the third and the winning goal for Mumbai City FC.
Catch the highlights and the goals HERE.
