Kolkata: Defending champions ATK suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Pune in their first home match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. Last season’s highest goal scorer Marcelinho netted a brace, while Alfaro and Rohit Kumar scored a goal each as Pune cruised to a comfortable victory. Bipin Singh scored the only goal for the home team.
Pune had never made it to the play-off even once in three seasons but looked a completely different side against ATK. Popovic’s boys competed ball on ball against the home side despite the 32, 816 fans vouching for ATK.
It was also for the first time that the two time champions covered for goals in a single match across the four seasons. Marquee signing Robbie Keane who is out with injury, was sorely missed as the ATK strikers failed to place a single shot in the entire match, with most shots coming from the midfield players.
Both the teams started on an attacking note, with both ATK and Pune earning a corner in the opening four miutes, that resulted to nothing. The home team however, as has been the norm dominated possession with 56% on the balls in the opening-half.
The Sheringham coached side created a few chances but it was Pune who scored the opening goal in the 13th minute, when a long ball from the defence found Alfaro’s run in the left channel. The former NorthEast man first beat Conor Thomas, before passing it to an unmarked Marcelinho who made no mistake in putting the ball into an open net, leaving Debjit stranded.
ATK had their chance when Zequinha’s long range shot found Hitesh Sharma on the rebound after Kamaljit fluffed the ball. But with an empty net infront of him, the young boy from Punjab failed to make make a shot as another chance went bagging.
The second half began with a bang as ATK equalised after five minutes through a Bipin Singh free-kick, whose curled shot hit the upright before landing on the back of the net sending the home fans into a frenzy. However their joy was short-lived as Pune took the lead for a second time in the match. A swift attack from Pune in the 51st minute saw Rohit Kumar score from a Marcelinho corner.
With two goals down, Sheringham soon brought on Robin Singh as Pune replied with another goal in the 60h minute after a vulnerable ATK defence failed to clear a cross. Left-back Prabir Das, found out of position on most occasions headed a clearance straight at Marcos Tebar, with Marcelinho scoring his second from the resulting pass.
As if it was not enough of humiliation, Pune soon scored a fourth with both Marcelinho and Alfaro once again at the centre of action. This time Marcelinho earning an assist while Alfaro scored his second of the league.
The defending champions plugged with injuries, next play two matches away from home, with the match against former champions Chennaiyin FC being their first. Head coach Teddy Sheringham will however hope the likes of Jayesh Rane, Ashutosh Mehta and Keane make a return ahead of the next match.