Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata handed a 4-0 rout to FC Goa to climb atop the table and put one step in the semifinals after a one-sided Indian Super League (ISL) clash, here today.
The chief architect of ATK’s splendid win was the South African medio Samheeg Doutie who produced a stunning brace (20th and 78th), beside setting up captain Borja Fernandez (22nd) with a superb assist at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan.
Former Canada International Iain Hume (68t) struck from a penalty to bring up his sixth goal of the season after Doutie was brought down inside the box.
The win shoot ATK to the top of the table with 20 points, two clear of the Zico’s brigade who in their last outing secured a record 7-0 win in Mumbai.
For Goa, it was their second loss by an identical scoreline as they had lost to Chennai 0-4 at home earlier.
Having won 7-0 at home Goans were high on confidence but ATK coach Antonio Habas had yesterday reminded the visitors that “it was history and anything can happen in football”.
Habas’ boys lived up to the coach’s words as they did not allow an inch to the Goans and kept their invincible record intact.
For the record, ATK have never lost to FCG as they have so far won thrice and drew the remaining.
Earlier, the rampaging Goans on a high after their record win against Mumbai were off to a brisk start as Leo Moura and Dudu Omagbemi getting back to back chances to start the match.
Capitalising on a shaky defence from Mondal who had faltered in the beginning, Moura failed to keep his shot down inside the box as the ball sailed behind.
Four minutes later, FCG had a good opportunity with Dudu up front as the Nigerian intercepted Mondal’s back pass before launching a powerful shot into the far post where ATK goalkeeper Amrinder Singh did well to thwart his effort to give the packed home fans some sigh of relief.
Soon the tables turned in favour of the home team, as they slowly took control of the game with the trio of Jaime Gavilan, Sameehg Doutie, and Iain Hume producing some neat display up front.