Agencies
Kolkata, December 14
Atletico de Kolkata and FC Goa played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the second semi-finals of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday evening. The first real chance fell for the visitors in the 17th minute when Santos showed a glimpse of his skill and found Mandar on the left. The winger, after a couple of touches which left Debnath and Lester for dead, crossed at the far post for Romeo Fernandes who ended up side-netting.
Romeo had another chance as he tested Edel from distance which saw the Kolkata custodian collect it only on second attempt.
The match lacked quality as neither side could keep the ball for long as miss-passes were the trend. Masih made a rare foray into the opposition box but Bengelloun did well to block his shot in the 38th minute.
After a drab half of football, the teams went into the break with the first blood yet to be drawn.
Six minutes after the break, Atletico had a brilliant chance to take the lead when Jakub Podany sent in a delightful free-kick from the left which was flicked into the six-yard box by Borja Fernandez. However, Nato couldn’t get on the end of it as the opportunity went down the drain.
Slepicka ran into the box after some poor defensive work by Masih but Nato and Debnath narrowed the angle for the Czech striker whose final shot was weak.
Just after the hour mark, Santos scooped the ball onto the path of Slepicka and he did well to beat the offside trap. Once again, his finishing let him down as his effort didn’t test Edel in goal.
The best chance of the game came Romeo Fernandes’ way in the 69th minute. The winger was through on goal and only had the goalkeeper to beat but Edel came off his line to block his shot from hand-shaking distance.
Cavin Lobo’s introduction in the 67th minute did spur the Kolkata outfit as he provided an attacking thrust his side were missing.
However, it was Slepicka again who had the next opportunity in the 81st minute. Bikramjit Singh’s long ball caught the Atletico defense napping as Slepicka got into a good position only fire it straight into the hands of Edel.
There is all to play for in the second leg in Goa on Wednesday as the two teams couldn’t break the other down at the Salt Lake Stadium in what was a listless draw on Sunday evening.
