Fikru takes Atlético de Kolkata to the semifinals
A penalty goal in the 68th minute puts our team in the final stage.
ATLÉTICO DE KOLKATA 1 - 1 FC GOA
Atlético de Kolkata: A. Edel; Debnath, Josemi, Arnab Mondal (R. Masih, 71'), B. Saha (N. Mohanraj, 46'); Borja, J. Podany, O. Nato (Luis García, 46'), B. Sahni; M. Rafi and Fikru.
Goa: L. Kattimani; Bruno Pinheiro, Y. Bengelloun, D. Roy, P. Carvlho; Raja, Edgar Marcelino (A. George, 88'), R. Pirès (G. Fernandes, 70'), C. Miranda; R. Martins (H. Narzari, 80') and Miguel Herlein.
Referee: Booked B. Sahni, in the 72'. Sent off Bruno Pinheiro in the 66' with a direct red card.
GOALS:
0-1. Min 27’. Edgar Marcelino shot a strong ball from afar.
1-1. min 68'. Friku ties on a penalty shot..
Atlético de Kolkata will play in the Indian Super League semifinals after tying with FC Goa and concluding the regular stage of the League's season in third place.
The Atléticos depended on themselves. The distribution of points guaranteed their qualification and they didn't fail. Thus, our team will share an honorable place in the final stage of the tournament together with Chennaiyin FC (first in the League), the Kerala Blasters FC (fourth) and FC Goa (second), who will be our rival in the semifinals.
However, the qualification was not easy as the visitors took the lead thanks to a goal by Edgar Marcelino in the 27th minute. The draw did not come until the second half. Bruno Pinheiro committed a penalty, being sent off with a direct red card, and Fikru did not err from the 11 meters line.
The 1-1 score secured the qualification as in the third position for the semifinals, which will be played in two legs on the 14th and 17th of December at 14:30 (CET). We will start the qualifying round at home and next we will visit FC Goa for the decisive match.