Margao: Seasoned campaigner Borja Fernandez found the net off the crossbar to propel Atletico de Kolkata into the Indian Super League final with a dramatic 4-2 tie-breaker win over FC Goa here Wednesday. Kolkata will now cross swords with Kerala Blasters in the December 20 final, to be held in Mumbai.
Despite being the better team on view on their home pitch at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa paid the heavy price for losing their way in the penalty shootout which had to be resorted to as the rivals finished goalless in the regulation 90 minutes, and the score line remained undisturbed even after half an hour of extra time in the second leg of the semi-final battle.
The two sides had drawn 0-0 in the first leg at Kolkata December 14.
In the tie-break, experienced Brazilian Andre Santos’ shot went miles over, while Afghan Zohib Amiri hit the post to seal the fate of the hosts.
In contrast, Atletico de Kolkata kept their composure in the tie-break converting all the four shots through Josemi, Mohammad Rafi, Jofre Mateu Gonzalez and Fernandez. Tolgay Ozbey and Clifford Miranda found the mark for the losers.
As Fernandez got the ball in, a pin-drop silence descended in the stadium, and the Atletico de Kolkata camp turned ecstatic with their owner Sourav Ganguly all smiles in the galleries.
Goa had more possession, and carried out a greater number of moves into the opponent’s defensive zone during the game, but failed to create scoring opportunities.
On the other hand, Atletico de Kolkata dearly missed their talismanic striker Fikru Teferra due to injury, though Mohammad Rafi tried hard to make up for the Ethiopian’s absence.
In the first half, the ball travelled from one end to the other as both teams switched into an attack mode from the start.
In contrast, the final 45 minutes saw slower stuff, though Goa had marginally better ball-possession.
The match came alive in the opening minute itself. Jakub Podany was brought down by a Goan defender close to the penalty box, but Spaniard Josemi’s shot sailed over.
Goa got the best chance of the first session in the seventh minute, as Debabrata Roy’s cross was chested down by Brazilian Andre Santos, but Romeo Fernandes’ effort finished wide off the mark.
Six minutes before the break, Santos combined well with Czech Miroslav Slepicka and unleashed a left-footer, but the ball ballooned over.
Crossing over, Fernandes launched into a speedy solo, avoided a defender and then let loose a left-footer, which wemt just wide off the post to fetch a corner, as ATK goalkeeper Apoula Edel got a touch.
Nine minutes later Santos scampered into the box, and Atletico defender Arnab Mondal went for a sliding tackle that brought down the Latin American. The Goans demanded a penalty, but the referee asked the players to carry on.
At the stroke of the hour, Atletico de Kolkata coach Habas pulled out their tired-looking marqee player and skipper Luis Garcia and brought in Jofre.
Within five mintues, Jofre was in the thick of the action as he essayed a floater towards the near post, Nato leapt but missed and birthday boy Jan Seda punched it out of trouble.
Soon after, the action happened near the other goal. Mandar released Santos, who outwitted a couple of defenders with a swift turn but his effort was thwarted by Atletico custodian Edel using his legs.
