ATK v NorthEast United Match Report, 27/01/2020, Indian Super League

Balwant Singh's winner at the dying embers of the match propelled ATK to a narrow 1-0 win over NorthEast United in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Salt Lake stadium on Monday evening.

The Indian striker broke the deadlock with a header from a corner kick minutes after coming off the bench.

ATK's interim head coach Manuel Cascallana made a change to the side that trounced FC Goa 2-0 with Edu Garcia coming in place of Mandi Sosa.

Robert Jarni made three alternations after two successive defeats. Nikhil Kadam and Ninthoigamba Meitei were reinstated in the starting XI and Lars Lundevall got his first start in ISL, replacing Federico Gallego.

It was the home side that started dominating proceedings from the first whistle. Javier Hernandez orchestrated play from the centre of the park while Prabir Das and Michael Soosairaj provided the necessary width to attack through the flanks.

Kai Heerings played his part in stopping ATK's fury in the attacking third. In the 11th minute, it was his last-ditch interception that denied Krishna from scoring with a simple tap-in.

It was a see-saw battle and after the opening quarter, it was NorthEast United's turn to test ATK's defensive resolve. They could have even drawn first blood if Komorski was not denied by the woodwork. Lundevall sent his delivery from a flag-kick to the first post and the Croatian defender back-heeled the ball towards goal only to strike the post. A minute later, Lalengmawia also had a sight of goal and with the entire frame to shoot, he fired his shot wide.

But the Highlanders could not make the most of their dominance and the next significant chance fell to ATK in the 39th minute. Edu Garcia produced a defence-splitting through ball for Krishna, whose shot was saved by Subhasish Roy Chowdhury with his feet.

If Roy Chowdhury was earning applause for his heroics with the gloves then his opposite number Arindam Bhattacharya was also not far behind at the other end.

The former India international pulled off a stellar save to deny Martin Chaves who headed the ball from point-blank range.

ATK were once again on the prowl in the 58th minute. Edu Garcia won back possession in midfield and released Soosairaj who tried to trickle the ball into the net but for the Komorski came up with a brilliant goal-line clearance.

Cascallana brought on Balwant in a bid to get the three points and his gamble paid off in style as the Hoshiarpur-born striker sent the crowd into a frenzy with his last-minute winner.