Former Champions of the Indian Super League, ATK defeated Mohammedan Sporting in a rain-interrupted Durand Cup encounter at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.
The only goal of the match was scored by Hitesh Sharma whose goal ensured that ATK win the contest. ATK’s win has also meant that the 16-time champion team Mohun Bagan registered a place for themselves in the semi-finals with one match still to go.
Mohun Bagan will now face Indian Navy in their last match of the group stages on Saturday.
It was Hitesh Sharma’s goal in only the second minute of the match that set the tempo and pace of the match after the match had begun half an hour late because of heavy rains. A little later, Mohammedan had a golden chance to equalise but Vanlalbiaa Chhangte’s shot hit the crossbar. Post that, ATK’s goalkeeper Avilash Paul’s brilliance prevented Mohammedan Sporting from scoring a goal.
This was their first win in the competition, a little too late perhaps as they will now be bowed out of the tournament with four points from three matches.