Pune: Atletico de Kolkata’s erratic run in their away matches continued as a spirited Pune City FC held them to a 1-1 draw in an 11th round encounter of the Indian Super League here on Saturday.Jakub Podany’s 11th strike for ATK was neutralised by Pune’s Greek World Cupper Kostas Katsouranis in the dying moments of the first half as the Kolkata outfit remained firmly in contention for a berth in the semifinals.
ATK remain in second place in the eight-team table with 17 points from 11 games while Pune are seventh in the table with 13 points despite being on even keel with Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United. The reason being their inferior goal difference.ATK, who were desperate for their fifth victory again fumbled in an away match. Their last victory in an away game came more than a month ago in Goa.
The visitors got the lead against the run of play in the 11th minute when India under-23 defender Pritam Kotal misjudged a long ball and ATK skipper Luis Garcia sent a measured cross for Podany, who timed his jump to perfection nodding the ball home.
ATK’s giant custodian Edel Bete had a good match as he pulled off couple lovely saves on either side of the break to avert danger. Hungarian Krtian Vadocz took a crack at goal in the 30th minute but the 6’5” tall Bete was equal to the task. Pune could have equalized in the 34th minute when Kostas failed to angle a low assist delivered by Jermaine Penant as it was foiled by Bete.
