ISL, Bengaluru FC vs ATK second semi-final, as it happened: Ten-man hosts hold on for the win

FT: BEN 1-0 ATK

It’s all over! Ten-man Bengaluru FC hold on for a 1-0 first-leg win. Deshorn Brown’s first-half goal proves to be the difference as a stubborn Bengaluru FC deny ATK the crucial away goal. It wasn’t a great game of football but Bengaluru played to their strengths and got the result they needed. It’s finely poised in this second semi-final with Bengaluru heading to Kolkata with the slight edge.

90’ BEN 1-0 ATK

Four minutes of stoppage time added on

87’ BEN 1-0 ATK

Bengaluru clear the danger. The first free-kick is ordered to be re-taken after Khabra charges in way too early. The second attempt too however is wasted as Bengaluru breathe easy again

83’ BEN 1-0 ATK

RED CARD! Nishu Kumar is sent off for bringing down Roy Krishna. Great work from David Williams who made a lung-busting run from Bengaluru’s corner to set Roy Krishna through on goal. ATK have a free-kick outside the box

80’ BEN 1-0 ATK

MISS! Chhetri fails to convert from close range after being found inside the box through a low cross from the right. It was a very good chance for Bengaluru to double the lead.

76’ BEN 1-0 ATK

SAVE! Frater unleashes a fierce drive at the ATK goal but Arindam makes a good save to keep the shot out. Bengaluru still lead through the first half goal from Deshorn Brown and have defended really well in the second half keeping ATK down to very few chances.

63’ BEN 1-0 ATK

A lull period in the game as ATK now enjoying a good spell of possession but Bengaluru have been able to keep them at bay. ATK are yet to have a shot on Bengaluru goal from inside their box

63’ BEN 1-0 ATK

A lull period in the game as ATK now enjoying a good spell of possession but Bengaluru have been able to keep them at bay. ATK are yet to have a shot on Bengaluru goal from inside their box

63’ BEN 1-0 ATK

A lull period in the game as ATK now enjoying a good spell of possession but Bengaluru have been able to keep them at bay. ATK are yet to have a shot on Bengaluru goal from inside their box

48’ BEN 1-0 ATK

SAVE! Arindam tips a Chhetri header over the bar. Good work from substitute Frater to find the Bengaluru captain with a floating cross.

46’ BEN 1-0 ATK

Second half begins at the Kanteerava. Bengaluru have brought in Kevaughn Frater for Albert Serran who injured himself in the first half. Intesting to see how Bengaluru shape up in the second half.

HT: BEN 1-0 ATK

Deshorn Brown’s goal the difference at the break as Bengaluru FC go into half-time with a slender lead. ATK have played some neat football but they have no shots on target to show for it. Plenty to still play for in this game. Big second half awaits.

45’ BEN 1-0 ATK

GOOD MOVE! Another fine move from ATK as Edu Garcia makes a clever diagonal run through the Bengaluru defence but he can only find the side-netting.

45’ BEN 1-0 ATK

GOOD MOVE! Another fine move from ATK as Edu Garcia makes a clever diagonal run through the Bengaluru defence but he can only find the side-netting.

42’ BEN 1-0 ATK

SO CLOSE! Brilliant tenacious play from Deshorn Brown to create space for a shot. His eventual effort flies inches over the crossbar.

42’ BEN 1-0 ATK

SO CLOSE! Brilliant tenacious play from Deshorn Brown to create space for a shot. His eventual effort flies inches over the crossbar.

31’ BEN 1-0 ATK

GOOOOOAAAALLLLLL! BENGALURU LEAD! Deshorn Brown taps it in after Arindam spills a tame shot from Juanan and the home side have their noses in front

31’ BEN 1-0 ATK

GOOOOOAAAALLLLLL! BENGALURU LEAD! Deshorn Brown taps it in after Arindam spills a tame shot from Juanan and the home side have their noses in front

27’ BEN 0-0 ATK

JUST WIDE! Great play from the visitors again as Edu Garcia get into space between Bengaluru’s midfield and defensive lines and shoots at goal and is not far away from finding the target.

25’ BEN 0-0 ATK

Arindam fumbles after Chhetri sends a header back into the six yard area, but manages to get hold of the ball. Bengaluru going direct on a few occasions now.

18’ BEN 0-0 ATK

Update: The referee has ruled out the goal for handball and not for offside. It was in fact an excellent decision from the linesman and we have to take back our words

16’ BEN 0-0 ATK

HOWLER FROM THE REFEREE! ATK put the ball into the back of the net after David Williams sends a smashing shot past Gurpreet but the linesman rules it out for offside. Replayed show he was at least a couple of yards onside. Hard to understand how the referee got this one wrong. Pathetic decision

12’ BEN 0-0 ATK

CLOSE! Patient build-up from ATK as David Williams almost picks out Roy Krishna with a neat cross. Good play from the visitors

7’ BEN 0-0 ATK

CHANCE! Bengaluru almost score from their very first corner. Rahul Bheke rises highest but fails to keep his header on target. This was a good chance for the home side who have scored 14 out of their 22 goals this season from set-pieces

3’ BEN 0-0 ATK

It seems like a back four for Bengaluru FC with Suresh Wangjam playing out wide on the right. ATK have lined-up in their usual back three.

7:30 pm: KICK OFF! The game is underway in Bengaluru

7:25 pm: The teams are out and it’s time for the national anthems in Bengaluru

7:10pm: There’s very little to separate the two sides from the defensive point of view with both teams enjoying a great defensive record this season. However, when it comes to scoring goals, ATK seem to hold the edge with their dangerous attack led by Roy Krishna

7:00pm: Bengaluru FC have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head but ATK are unbeaten against their opponents this season and eked out a 2-2 draw in Bengaluru last week in the league game. So it’s all to play for

6:42 pm: TEAM NEWS!

Bengaluru FC XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Rahul Bheke, Albert Serran, Juanan, Harmanjot Khabra, Nishu Kumar, Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Suresh Wangjam, Sunil Chhetri, Deshorn Brown.

ATK XI: Arindam Bhattacharja (GK), Sumit Rathi, John Johnson, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das, Regin Michael, Michael Soosairaj, Roy Krishna, Javier Hernandez, Edu Garcia, David Williams.

6:38 pm: Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the second ISL semi-final between Bengaluru FC and ATK at the Sree Kanteerava stadium. Can Bengaluru FC overcome their patchy form to make it to their third straight final? Stick around for all Live updates from the match.

A blockbuster Indian Super League playoff clash is in the offing as defending champions Bengaluru FC lock horns with ATK in the first leg of their tie at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Bengaluru FC will be determined to make their home advantage count before travelling to Kolkata for the return leg. Carles Cuadrat’s side are coming off a defeat in the AFC Cup qualifier against Maldivian side Maziya S&RC and will want to bounce back with a positive result on Sunday.

However, they need to find an answer to their woes upfront. Bengaluru have struggled to score goals, having netted just 22 from 18 games in the ISL. More importantly, only eight of them have come from open play, with set-pieces accounting for the rest.

They have struggled with finishing chances off. In what should be a huge boost, Sunil Chhetri has returned from a hamstring niggle and scored two goals against Maziya. The 35-year-old, who has scored nine goals so far, will hope to fill the void up front.

The likes of Dimas Delgado and Erik Paartalu in midfield will also play crucial roles, both in orchestrating attacks and during set-pieces. Delgado’s deliveries are always threatening while Paartalu’s imposing physique is useful in both boxes.

One area Cuadrat will be confident about is defending. Their defence, led by Juanan Gonzalez, has stood like a rock.

ATK forwards Roy Krishna and David Williams have their task cut out against the rival backline. However, containing Krishna is no mean task and ATK coach Antonio Habas will want the Fijian to add to his 14 goals so far.

ATK have a mean defence and boast of a record (16 goals conceded) which is second only to Bengaluru. Habas will set his team to be organised and use the pace of Krishna during counter-attacks. The likes of Edu Garcia and Javier Hernandez will also have key roles to play from the middle of the park.

ATK’s full-backs, Prabir Das and Michael Soosairaj, add a different dimension to their attack and their threatening deliveries from the flanks are likely to pose a challenge to the Bengaluru defence.

The last time these two sides met at the same venue, ATK pulled off a late comeback to claw back a two-goal deficit and earned a draw.

On a Super Sunday, everyone can expect a similarly closely-fought encounter between two very strong and solid sides.