Karikari sizzles in Chennaiyin victory over Mohun Bagan

KOLKATA: Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith’s indiscretion and a poor defensive organisation during a counter-attack cost ATK Mohun Bagan dearly as Chennaiyin FC rallied from a goal down to defeat the host 2-1 in their opening Indian Super League 2022-23 match, here on Monday.

Ghanaian forward Kwame Karikari, who came on as a substitute in the second half and turned the match on its head, first equalised in the 64th minute and then set up Rahim Ali for the winner in the 83rd. This was after Manvir Singh’s powerful left-footer in the 27th minute gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead.

Mohun Bagan started the match in positive fashion as Manvir got on the end of a Dimitri Petratos pass before slotting the ball past Chennaiyin goalkeeper Debjit Majumder. But in the second half, once Karikari was introduced at the expense of centre-back Fallou Diagne, things changed rapidly for CFC as there was more thrust in the attack.

One such move in the 63rd minute saw Karikari within striking distance of goal, but Kaith’s rough challenge got Chennaiyin a spot-kick which the Ghanaian himself converted. While Mohun Bagan did keep attacking, there was distinct lack of penetration in the attacking third. And, against the run-of-play, Chennaiyin hit on the counter-attack.

Karikari received a ball down the flank and sprinted down before he cut it back for Rahim, whose deft right-footed placement found the left corner of the net. Mohun Bagan had a chance during the dying moments when substitute Liston Colaco’s curling free-kick from the edge of the 18-yard box was brilliantly saved by a diving Debjit.

The match was halted for some time at the beginning of the second half because of a floodlight failure and the break may have helped CFC regroup.

“First of all, I am very happy for the club and the fans. I am so proud of my players. It was a tough game. Every time, the first match is a little different. We played professionally and bounced back after going a goal down. We fully deserved the three points,” said Chennaiyin head coach Thomas Brdaric post the victory.

RESULT: ATK Mohun Bagan 1 (Manvir 27) lost to Chennaiyin FC 2 (Karikari 64(P), R Ali 83)