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Former Indian Super League champions Atletico de Kolkata played out a one-all draw against the Kerala Blasters at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium to qualify for the knockout semifinals.
The guests had the first chance of the game in the 5th minute following a corner with Sandesh Jhingan header going straight to Debjit Majumder, but only three minutes later following a Mehtab Hossain cross, Debjit committed a mistake by not holding on to the ball, an opportunistic Cedric Hengbart is there to play on and C.K. Vineeth heads into an empty goal.
Atletico de Kolkata thereafter went into attack wasted a few chances before equalising in the 18th minute after a strong combination from Iain Hume and Helder Postiga, who passed the ball to Stephen Pearson to slot home. Both teams had some half chances, but it stayed one-all at the break.
With both teams knowing that a draw was most likely enough to take them into the semifinals, the game did not rise to any great heights with a Mohammed Rafi attempt blocked by Pritam Kotal being the only chance of the second half.
It ended in a one-all draw, which meant that Atletico de Kolkata and the Delhi Dynamos have joined Mumbai City FC in the semifinals of ISL-3, while Kerala Blasters depending on NorthEast United FC’s result tomorrow against Delhi could have a real final against the Highlanders on December 4 at home.
Further today’s result also meant that the defending champions Chennaiyin FC and FC Pune City are now eliminated like FC Goa.
Match Awards
Club award: Atletico de Kolkata/Kerala Blasters FC
Amul Fittest Player of the Match: Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters FC)
DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Helder Postiga (Atletico de Kolkata)
Maruti Suzuki Swift Moment of the Match: C.K. Vineeth (Kerala Blasters FC)
ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Abinash Ruidas (Atletico de Kolkata)
Hero of the Match: Stephen Pearson (Atletico de Kolkata)
