ATK Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin FC played out a goalless draw in Match 42 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday. Mariners goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja made a number of crucial saves to ensure that his side won a point and went top of the table ahead of Mumbai City FC.

• Both sides created several chances but were unable to make them count.
• Arindam Bhattacharja and Vishal Kaith displayed great form at either end.

Chennaiyin FC came very close to opening the scoring in the 5th minute. Jakub Sylvestr’s through-ball to Rafael Crivellaro was shot on goal and needed an important save from Bhattacharja to deny the Marina Machans.  

Lallianzuala Chhangte had an opportunity of his own in the 8th minute. The winger received the ball from Crivellaro but the shot was inches wide of the far post. The match saw end-to-end action after the Marina Machans goalkeeper Vishal Kaith was forced into a brilliant save by David Williams. The Australian midfielder took a curling shot from outside the box and the effort needed a push from Kaith to keep it out.

Enes Sipovic had a clear chance on goal in the 42nd minute but the Bosnian centre-back hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper. Crivellaro’s lofted freekick was cleared by Pritam Kotal but the ball fell to Memo Moura, who passed it to Sipovic. His attempt, however, went in vain as both sides entered halftime with the score 0-0.

Early in the second half, Kaith almost assisted the opening goal after his goalkick was well collected by Chhangte. The India international made a run into the ATK Mohun Bagan penalty box and the following shot needed a brilliant fingertip save from Bhattacharja.

The 65th minute saw Bhattacharja make another crucial save for the Mariners. Crivellaro won a freekick for the Marina Machans and the resulting set-piece from Memo was pushed over the crossbar by the ATK Mohun Bagan goalkeeper. Another fingertip save in the 79^th minute kept out Reagan Singh and the match remained goalless.

Chennaiyin showed most of the attacking intent in the second half and chances were scarce for ATK Mohun Bagan. A beautiful sequence of passes from the Kolkata club in the 83rd minute ended in a cross from Prabir Das but the ball was caught by Kaith with Roy Krishna tantalisingly within reach.

Two minutes later, the Mariners’ Fijian striker headed a lofted cross from Subhasish Bose but the effort was wide of the post. Chennaiyin had a half chance to clinch the victory in stoppage time but Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev’s freekick went just over the crossbar as both teams went home with a point each.

 Hero of the Match: Arindam Bhattacharja

Bhattacharja kept his side in the match with crucial saves to ensure his sixth clean sheet of the season. The ATK Mohun Bagan custodian saved all the seven shots that he faced on target, and made five punches and one clearance for the Mariners as well.

Other Match Awards:

Club Award: Chennaiyin FC and ATK Mohun Bagan

DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Edu Garcia (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Watch the Match Highlights here: