Hyderabad FC produced a stunning comeback to beat ATK Mohun Bagan 3-1 in the first leg of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final at the Athletic stadium in Bambolim, Goa on Saturday to get in the driver’s seat in the two-legged tie.

ATK Mohun Bagan took the lead through Roy Krishna (18’) but Hyderabad FC showed their powers of recovery with strikes from Bartholomew Ogbeche (45+2’), Yasir Mohammad (58’) and Javier Siverio (64’) as they turned the game around.

The Mariners started the game strongly putting Hyderabad FC on the back foot with their pressing and they almost profited in the 14th minute when they robbed Aniket Jadhav of the ball allowing David Williams to charge forward and set up Joni Kauko but Laxmikanth Kattimani was alert to the danger and cut the pass off crucially.

However, five minutes later ATK Mohun Bagan made the breakthrough when Liston Colaco collected the ball on the left flank before charging inside. The Indian forward then made a quick turn on the outside before sending a low cross which was finished off by Krishna to open the scoring.

The Mariners had their tails up after taking an early lead as Hyderabad FC struggled to get a foothold in the match.

However, Manuel Marquez’s men took their first real opportunity of the match as Ogbeche headed home from close range to draw Hyderabad FC level just before the half-time whistle.

The Mariners reacted to the goal in a positive manner and started the second half. Colaco almost scored from a well-worked short corner in the 51st minute but his powerful shot was saved by Kattimani to keep Hyderabad FC level.

However, seven minutes later Marquez’s men edged ahead when substitute Yasir curled a low past past Amrinder Singh to put Hyderabad FC in front after he found a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area.

There was more damage done to ATK Mohun Bagan as centre-back Tiri got injured in the build-up to that goal and seems unlikely to be able to return ahead of the next match.

Hyderabad FC then added insult to injury in the 64th minute when Siverio headed home a Yasir corner to make it 3-1 and put Hyderabad FC in a strong position in the tie.

ATK Mohun Bagan responded and Colaco once again saw a low from the left side saved in the 72nd minute as Hyderabad FC preserved their two-goal advantage.

Three minutes later Kauko missed another opportunity to pull a goal back after a well-worked move saw Hugo Boumous cut it back for Kauko in the box but he fired wide.

ATK Mohun Bagan continued to threaten and came close to scoring their second goal when Prabir Das’ measured cross just evaded an ATK Mohun bagan attacker.

The Mariners pushed hard to reduce the deficit but Hyderabad FC held on to take a two-goal lead into the second leg on Wednesday.

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Hyderabad FC 2021-2022Match Report