Kolkata: Fikru Teferra struck an equaliser off a dubious penalty decision as Atletico de Kolkata forced a 1-1 draw against 10-man FC Goa to sneak into the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League here on Wednesday. The Kolkata franchise will clash against the same opponents in the home leg of the semi-finals at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan Stadium here on Sunday. The away leg will be played on December 17.
Leaders Chennaiyin FC will face fourth-placed Kerala Blasters FC in the first leg of the semis in Kochi on Saturday.Needing at least a draw to make the cut, ATK trailed 0-1 at half-time after Edgar Marcelino’s stunning 27th-minute goal in front of a cheering 37,238 attendance at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. With nothing going their way, it was US referee Baldomero Toledo who came to the rescue of the listless ATK as he awarded them a penalty after Fikru went down inside the box in the 66th minute.
The moment came a minute after Fikru’s shot hit the post as ATK kept ruing their missed chances.Television replays showed that there was no contact from Bruno Pinheiro from behind but the referee thought otherwise and to the utter shock of the Goa players, sent off the central defender.Having lamented the poor referring from the start of the league, ATK utilised this goof-up to perfection as Fikru coolly brought the equaliser that ensured their passage to the semis.
The home franchise showed little unity and Fikru was seen shoving their midfieler Jakub Podany after a misspass in the 80th minute.Earlier, Marcelino unleashed a powerful right-footer to give FC Goa the lead against the run of play. It was a brilliant piece of teamwork by FC Goa as Robert Pires set it up for Ranty Martins in front of the goal.
