Mohun Bagan have almost booked a semifinal spot with their second consecutive victory, while Gokulam Kerala and FC Goa too won their respective group openers in the 129th Durand Cup on Thursday.
After being stunned 0-3 by Peerless SC in the Calcutta Football League at Mohun Bagan Ground, Kolkata three days back, Mohun Bagan breezed past ATK at the same venue as Joseba Beitia set up one for Fran Morante in the 34th minute. A brilliant header by Morante off the corner kick of Beitia went past the ATK goalkeeper even before the latter could react. Beitia himself found the net in the 53rd minute to secure a 2-1 win.
Meanwhile, Ashish Pradhan struck the solitary goal for ATK in the 78th minute.
Mohun Bagan lead Group B with six points from two matches and even a draw against Indian Navy on 17 August would see them saill to the last-four berth.
Mohun Bagan started their 2019 Durand Cup campaign by beating Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 in the opener on 2 August. Spaniard striker Salva Chamorro was the star for Mohun Bagan in the match as he scored the two goals.
Meanwhile, for Gokulam Kerela, Marcus Joseph bagged a hat-trick as his side began their campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of Chennaiyin FC in the Group D opening fixture at the Sailen Manna Stadium in Howrah.
The third Indian Super League team in action, FC Goa, scored through Liston Colaco in the 26th minute to down Army Green 1-0 in a Group C fixture at Kalyani Stadium.
With both Real Kashmir and FC Goa having three points each, it’s a two-way race for the semifinal spot from Group C.
(With inputs from IANS)