KOLKATA: ATK twice came from behind to hold Mohammedan Sporting Club to a 2-2 draw in an Kolkata Zonal Round encounter of the ongoing U-15 Youth League at VYBK Training Ground 1 on Thursday.
After a barren first-half, the Young Panthers led twice through wingers Tarun Munda (57th) and Mohammed Hussain Shah (72nd) but ATK claimed a deserved share of the spoils thanks to equalizers from striker Phurba Thely Sherpa (58th & 77th).
Mohammedan SC created most of the goal-scoring chances through the first-half and missed out on two notable opportunities; William Lalgoulien headed wide in the 8th minute after meeting a cross from the right, while Debu Hansda was denied by a good save from ATK goalkeeper Jahir Molla in the 28th minute, having got up well to meet a corner kick.
ATK had their threatening moments too, with Nayandeep Rai volleying over midway through the half, while Phurba shot over the crossbar after meeting a fine cross from Koushik Goala seven minutes before the interval.
The Young Panthers continued to build pressure in the second-half, and four minutes into the session they nearly claimed the lead when William fired off a shot from the edge of the area, only to be denied by Jahir.
The subsequent corner kick produced another effort from the visitors, with Rajesh Molla getting on the end of the set piece delivery, though his glancing header flashed just wide of the far post.
The ATK resolve finally broke in the 57th minute as Tarun latched onto the lose ball before firing past Jahir in the 57th minute.
ATK, however, responded immediately when Phurba capitalized on a defensive error to level matters at 1-1 in the very next minute.
Mohammedan SC reclaimed the lead in the 72nd minute, with Tarun providing a perfectly weighted through ball to find the run of Hussain, who easily rounded Jahir before tucking the ball into an empty net to make it 2-1.
Nonetheless, the Young Panthers were pegged back again just five minutes later, as Phurba lashed home a shot from outside the box to make it 2-2.
Mohammedan SC battled hard towards the end looking for a winner, Tarun was even brought down in the box but the visitors’ appeal for a penalty were waved away as the game ended 2-2.
The result left Mohammedan SC on fifth spot in the standings with 5 points from 7 matches and they will host East Bengal next on 29th December at Rajpur Sonarpur Ground.
