Williams hat-trick seals ATK Mohun Bagan’s AFC Cup group berth

By: PTIApril 19, 2022 9:31:22 pm

Australian star forward David Williams scored a brilliant hat-trick under pressure as ATK Mohun Bagan survived some anxious moments to down Abahani Limited Dhaka 3-1 and make the AFC Cup main round here on Tuesday.

In a do-or-die playoff fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium, ATKMB were in cruise mode in the first half and in no time they had a 2-0 cushion, with Williams scoring a brace (6th, 30th).

The Aussie completed his hat-trick with five minutes left on the clock but it came after much drama, even as the home crowd of about 32,000 heaved a sigh of relief. ‘ The six-time Bangladesh Premier League champions, who looked lacklustre in the first half, showed that they were no pushovers as they found a way back into the match with less than 30 minutes left.

We march on in our continental adventure!🎉

AFC Cup Group Stages, HERE WE COME….#ATKMohunBagan#JoyMohunBagan#AmraSobujMaroon#MarinersInAsia#AFCCup2022pic.twitter.com/LN3CQvXzeb

— ATK Mohun Bagan FC (@atkmohunbaganfc) April 19, 2022

Costa Rican recruit Daniel Colindres easily slotted the ball past an out-of-place Amrinder Singh to reduce the margin.

Suddenly the local favourites started to buckle under pressure as Abahani made some promising raids. Their substitute Jewel Rana almost scored a goal from the right side of the box but his shot went inches wide.

Moments later, Nurul Faisal curled in a cross from the left flank to Rakib Hossain inside the box but his shot went wide.

The Mario Lemos-coached side kept threatening, even as ATKMB’s Colaco and substitute Kiyan Nassiri missed two easy chances.

With nothing going in their way, it was Frenchman Hugo Boumous who produced a magical thorough ball from the midfield, and the Aussie raided into an open net to seal the issue.

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ATKMB thus joined Gokulam Kerala, Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Maziya Sports and Recreation (Maldives) in the group D of the AFC Cup main round.

Job done! 💚♥️#ATKMohunBagan#JoyMohunBagan#AmraSobujMaroon#MarinersInAsia#AFCCup2022pic.twitter.com/gnxaSIJfp8

— ATK Mohun Bagan FC (@atkmohunbaganfc) April 19, 2022

They will take on Gokulam Kerala in their group opener on May 18.

Earlier, the local giants got a big boost with a fit-again Amrinder Singh, who had a niggle, back in goal, while Liston Colaco also returned to the attack.

With Colaco back in the left wing, the urgency was evident right at the start as he initiated a much-important move to set it up for an advancing Kauko.

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The Finnish midfielder drilled in a clinical cross to Williams inside the box, who slammed home the lead for the Mariners.

Hat-trick Hero!❤️#ATKMohunBagan#JoyMohunBagan#AmraSobujMaroon#MarinersInAsia#AFCCup2022pic.twitter.com/RtnvwgRa7L

— ATK Mohun Bagan FC (@atkmohunbaganfc) April 19, 2022

Colaco grew into confidence after the early onslaught as he made some brilliant raids from the left flank, giving the Abahani defence a tough time.

Prabir Das controlled the game from the right flank and almost gave Kauko a blast into an open net but his shot went over the crosspiece almost at the halfway mark.

It was Das who set up Williams with a long ball and the latter brought on his double as ATKMB looked unstoppable.

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The home team led 2-0 at the break but could have scored at least a couple more by then.

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