(Football news) The score remained tied at one until the hour mark. ATK Mohun Bagan’s star forward Kiyan Nassiri Giri scored the game’s first goal in the 18th minute with a superb finish. Kiyan, 22, has made 29 appearances for his team in the Indian Super League. 

That experience showed in the way he held onto the defenders and created space to score the morning’s opening goal. With a strong strike from forward Sanan Mohammed K in the 26th minute, RFYC soon reacted. 

Following that, the two teams continued to battle for a decisive victory, but it was Brijesh Giri of the Kolkata-based team who eventually managed to retake the lead for his team and turn the tide of the game in their favour.

After that, ATK Mohun Bagan kept total control of the game as striker Uttam Hansda, who had been on the bench, scored the team’s third goal by converting a low cross from the right wing. 

The visitors carved open RFYC’s backline from both the centre and the wings, and they held possession for the majority of the game’s last 20 minutes despite RFYC’s continued efforts to cut their deficit. Defenders Dippendu Biswas and Amandeep both scored once to cap off that period of domination in the 89th and extra time, respectively, to give their squad a deserving five-star effort.

“The players had a good background. They were focused and they accepted, understood and wanted this concept of attacking football. If you saw the two games we drew against East Bengal, the amount of chances that we generated was amazing. The other day we also generated more chances than the opponent. I am quite happy that the goals arrived today!” ATK Mohun Bagan coach Josep Maria Roma Gibert hailed the attitude of his boys in the aftermath of this clinical and comprehensive victory.

Arata Izumi, the coach of the RFYC, said that he will use the lessons learned from the RFDL National Championship to overcome the last obstacle the following season. Prior to this point in the competition, RFYC was undefeated, and Izumi has learned a great deal from their losses in the last two games.

“Every single game is an opportunity for us to develop ourselves. I think the boys stepped up quite a lot. In terms of today’s game, this is where we are at this moment, especially mentally and physically. Of course, they can still learn, these guys are just 17-18 and some are 19. So, they have enough time to develop themselves on all fronts,” Izumi mentioned.

“We have proved that we can play, against this competition so that is something we can take as a pride and we have to make sure that we improve on all aspects so that next time when we come, we are more competitive to be in this semi-finals and the finals,” he signed off.

Brief Scores 

ATKMB 5 (Kiyan Nassiri Giri 18’, Brijesh Giri 59’, Uttam Hansda 69’, Dippendu Biswas 89’, Amandeep 90+3’) – 1 (Sanan Mohammed K 26’)

Also read: After an exciting title defence against Sudeva Delhi FC, Bengaluru FC was named RFDL Champion