ISL 2021-22, NEUFC vs ATKMB Highlights: Boumous double secures three points for ATK Mohun Bagan

Goa, December 21: Hugo Boumous double sealed three points for ATK Mohun Bagan in new coach Juan Ferrando's first match in-charge on Tuesday (December 21) against NorthEast United FC in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the PNJ Stadium in Goa.

Ferrando jumped ship from FC Goa to ATKMB after the Mariners let go of Antonio Lopez Habas in a dramatic turn of events over the last week.

Suhair Vadakkepeedika (1') headed in the opener for NorthEast United in the first minute of the match, but Liston Colaco's (46') header in the closing minutes of the first half took ATK Mohun Bagan into the break on level terms.

Boumous then scored in the 52nd and 75th minute to give ATK Mohun Bagan a two-goal advantage. In the dying moments of the match, NorthEast United FC pulled one back through Mashoor Shereef Thangalakath (86'), but that proved to be only a conslolation.

Results | Points Table | Fixtures

Following that result, The Mariner moved to fifth position in ISL 2021-22 table with 11 points from 7 matches, while The Highlanders remained in ninth position with 7 points from 8 matches.

It was not a fairytale start for Ferrando as ATKMB boss as NorthEast went ahead in just the second minute. Mathias Coureur floated in a delicious corner towards the near post where Suhair was on hand to nod home.

Stung by the early setback, ATKMB upped the ante and should have pulled level but for Manvir Singh who fired over the bar from inside the box.

Roy Krishna had a couple of half-chances thereafter but good reflexes from Mirshad Michu in NorthEast goal and Krishna's inefficiency keep the ball in target kept the score to 1-0.

For the Highlanders, seasoned defender Gurjinder Kumar got injured in the 26th minute and had to be replaced by Tondonba Singh. Colaco forced Michu into action with a fierce effort from an angle inside the box but the keeper did well to avert the danger.

At the other end, Amrinder Singh pulled off a great save to keep Rochharzela's long-range attempt at bay.

Colaco then burst through into the penalty box but his take from an acute angle was well saved again by Michu The rebound was blocked brilliantly by Khassa Camara off Hugo Boumous.

Just when it looked like NorthEast would go into the break with a 1-0 lead, Michu scuffed a goal kick and the ball fell to Krishna who swung in a delightful cross for Colaco to head into the far corner.

After the halftime breather, ATKMB decided to go up a gear and Boumous made it 2-1 soon after the restart to underline their intent.

NorthEast United failed to clear their lines for too long, leading to Subhasish Bose cutting the ball back from the left byline for Boumous to outfox the defender with a lovely piece of skill and tap home.

Krishna then beat a couple of defenders to take a wild swipe at goal before Carl McHugh made way for Joni Kauko at the hour-mark.

Kauko was at it from the off as the Finland footballer played a crucial part in the third goal, setting up Boumous with a beautifully weighted pass for the latter to slot it wide of the keeper and into the net.

Against the run of play, substitute Shereef got NorthEast back in the game with a powerful shot from inside the box with the dying minutes of the match keeping the ATKMB faithful on the edge of their seats.

Source: ISL Media