ISL 2022-23: ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC meet in the second leg of the semi-finals
ATK Mohun Bagan will host Hyderabad FC in the second leg of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 semi-finals.
Soccer
oi-Antriksh Singh
Kolkata, March 12: The race to reach the final of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 will begin on a par as ATK Mohun Bagan host Hyderabad FC in the second leg of the second semi-final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday. Will do Ahead of the second leg, the situation remains tied as both these teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg, showing strong defensive play.
The Mariners have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches and hold the joint-best home record this season, winning eight out of 11 matches they have played at home. The attacking trio of Liston Colaco, Dimitri Petratos and Manvir Singh were neutralized by Hyderabad FC’s strong defense in the first leg semi-final match.
Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith kept his 11th clean sheet of the season and pulled off a fine save in Hyderabad to deny the hosts an advantage for the second leg. The centre-back pairing of Slavko Damjanovic and Pritam Kotal looked solid in defence.
Mariners head coach Juan Ferrando said, “Our mindset for this match is to play it like a final and win as we want to reach the final of the playoffs. In the first leg, Hyderabad were more rested than us, but now , our position will be equal.” “The strategic and technical details will be important. But above all, controlling the game will be an important part of the match,” he added.
Mariners have an excellent record at home, while Hyderabad FC have the second best away record this season. The defending champions have lost just two of their 10 matches away from home and have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four matches in the Hero ISL.
Joel Kenigy created a few chances and came very close to scoring twice but missed on both occasions. Hyderabad FC looked to pose a threat from the right flank as Nikhil Pujari formed a good partnership with Mohammad Yasir in attack and was strong in defence. Yasir came in several times from the wings to score, and one of his efforts went straight for the post.
Goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh made seven saves in the first leg and earned his sixth clean sheet of the season. Defensive midfielders Sahil Tavera and Borja Herrara displayed strength in midfield, winning the ball several times with difficult tackles. Bartholomew Ogbeche could return to the starting lineup in the second leg after Havi Severio was quiet in Hyderabad.
“The mood in the camp is good. They have a very strong squad and we managed to contain their players well. We were very good tactically in the first leg,” said Manolo Marquez, head coach of the defending champions. “They are more comfortable at home, but we are a very good team whether we play at home or away. Because we don’t make too many changes,” he added.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Both have won one match each and the only draw between them came in the semi-finals of the first leg last Thursday. Last season’s semi-final was won by Hyderabad FC over Mariners with a 3–2 aggregate margin to qualify for the final, although ATKMB won the second leg at home.
