Right then, the Christmas day brings ATK FC their first-ever win over Bengaluru FC. Make sure to join us on Thursday as Chennaiyin FC play host to FC Goa. That's all from us for today, goodbye and wish you a Merry Christmas.
Awards
ATK FC collect the Club Award for winning the match this evening. Prabir Das is given the Limitless Player of the Match Award. Jayesh Rane bags the Winning Pass of the Match Award. Sumit Rathi takes home the Emerging Player of the Match Award and David Williams is the choice for the Hero of the Match Award.
ATK FC edge it
ATK FC edge the tie by a goal to nil at the expense of Bengaluru FC's unbeaten away record. The hosts jump to the top of the table, thanks to a greater goal difference. David Williams' firm strike in the 47th minute was the difference. The Blues remain in third place as they were before the start of this match. In the balance of play, the hosts deserved to win the game with Michael Soosairaj and Roy Krishna combining well in the first half, while David Williams struck home two minutes after the resumption. It wasn't until the final minute of injury time did Bengaluru FC look like scoring. All in all, a very professional display at home by ATK FC, which preserves their unbeaten run in front of their crowd. ATK FC will savour this win as it's their first victory against Bengaluru FC after 5 attempts.
90'
Full time
The referee blows his whistle to bring the Bengaluru FC's last-ditch attempt to an end.
90'
Substitution for ATK FC
Sehnaj Singh comes on for Jayesh Rane.
90'
Substitution
Substitution - ATK FC (In: SEHNAJ, Out: J.RANE)
90'
Injury time
4 minutes have been added to the final 45.
90'
Nishu Kumar fouls
Nishu Kumar brings down David Williams and the referee pulls him up for the foul. With the break in play, the goal-scorer is withdrawn and Jobby Justin replaces him.
90'
Substitution
Substitution - ATK FC (In: JOBY JR, Out: WILLIAMS)
90'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : NISHU
83'
Udanta Singh does well!
Udanta Singh receives the ball on the right flank and beats his man. His cross is cleared by an ATK FC defender.
81'
Offside!
That would have been a wonder goal. Truly world-class. Agustin Iniguez plays a pinpoint cross-field ball to Roy Krishna in the box. The skipper for the day controls it masterfully and then shoots it into the back of the net. However, the referee's assistant raised his flag for offside. The replays showed otherwise.
79'
On target!
David Williams takes a snapshot from distance. It is on target but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is easily behind it.
76'
Substitution for Bengaluru FC
Raphael Augusto fouls David Williams at the halfway line. The referee blows his whistle for a foul. That's Raphael Augusto's final contribution to the match. He is taken off and Semboi Haokip comes on in his place.
76'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: SEMBOI, Out: RAPHAEL)
72'
Williams the orchestrator!
David Williams sets up Javier Hernandez, who is in the box for a header. Although Hernandez's shot towards goal is blocked for a corner. Javier Hernandez then takes the corner which comes to nothing.
69'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - ATK FC : AGUS
68'
Yellow card for Ashique Kuruniyan
Ashique Kuruniyan goes into the referee's book as the forward retaliated to being held up by Agustin Iniguez. Iniguez got kicked in the shins really hard by the sub.
68'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : ASHIQUE
65'
ATK FC's corner comes to nothing!
Javier Hernandez takes the corner from the right hand side. The visitors do well to clear their line and they win a free kick.
60'
1st sub for Bengaluru FC
Ashique Kuruniyan comes on in place of Rahul Bheke
60'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: ASHIQUE, Out: RAHUL)
60'
Off target!
Harmanjot Khabra on the right flank has the ball and he crosses it inside the box. Agustin Iniguez around the near post heads the ball but it's still in play. Dimas Delgado racing to the box from the left side shoots but it's wide of the far post.
57'
That was close!
Prabir Das from the right flank crosses the ball into the box for Roy Krishna. Albert Serran out-jumps the Fijian and heads the ball away.
55'
Chhetri shoots wide
The Blues' skipper is at the edge of the box on the right. He receives the ball and shoots. It's directed towards the far post but is too wide.
53'
Yellow card!
Armando Sosa Pena gets a yellow card.
53'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - ATK FC : MANDI SOSA
47'
GGGOOOAAALLL!
ATK FC start the second half with a blast. Jayesh Rane runs with the ball at the Bengaluru FC defence. He is held up by Rahul Bheke but Rane steals the ball back and passes it to his right to David Williams, who is at the edge of the box. The no. 9 shoots towards the far post into the back of the net. He hit it brilliantly and ATK FC now lead!
47'
Goal
Goal - ATK FC : WILLIAMS
46'
Play resumes
ATK FC get us underway. Rahul Bheke raises his foot too high towards Roy Krishna. The referee signals free kick, nothing comes off it.
An interesting stalemate!
The score after first 45 minutes is the same as it was at the start. Both teams have defended really well, keeping chances to a bare minimum. That said, ATK FC have been the primary aggressor, the combination of David Williams, Roy Krishna and Michael Soosairaj has been very promising up front. They have kept the Bengaluru FC defence honest and on their toes. The Blues, on the other hand, were able to trouble the hosts with set-pieces only. History is firmly inclined in Bengaluru FC's favour, going by the perfectH2H record against ATK FC. Will that change tonight? It promises to be an interesting second half. Stay tuned.
45'
Half time!
It ends 0-0 at the end of the first half.
45'
Added time
One minute added to the first half.
41'
A Bengaluru FC corner!
Agustin Iniguez, in trying to keep the ball away from the Bengaluru FC strikers, concedes a corner. Dimas Delgado takes the set-piece but it comes to nothing.
38'
Another Nishu Kumar blooper
The full back gets the ball near the left touchline. He tries to play a pass almost immediately. However, his pass is wayward and the ball rolls out for an ATK FC throw-in.
34'
Brilliant play by ATK FC
Michael Soosairaj on the left flank gets the ball and as he gets to the edge of the box, he tries to cross it in for Krishna. Juanan tracking his run blocks out his cross for a corner. Javier Hernandez takes the corner but nothing comes out of it.
30'
Foul!
Roy Krishna brings down Raphael Augusto from behind, the referee whistles for a foul. He also asked the ATK FC skipper to calm down.
28'
Bengaluru FC corner
The Blues get their first corner of the night. Dimas Delgado's set-piece delivery is punched out by Arindam Bhattacharja. The ball falls towards David Williams at the edge of the box. He is challenged by a high boot by Sunil Chhetri. A free kick is then given to ATK FC.
25'
First booking of the night!
Pritam Kotal receives a caution as he knocks Udanta Singh to the floor.
25'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - ATK FC : PRITAM
23'
Dimas Delgado shoots off target!
Agustin Iniguez gives away a foul at the edge of the box as he nudged his elbow into the back of Erik Paartalu. Dimas Delgado takes the subsequent free kick. He goes for a direct shot but is horribly off target. He hit it with a lot of venom but the bend on the ball took it well off-target.
17'
Nishu Kumar gives the ball away
Rahul Bheke first takes a long throw-in from the right touchline. It is cleared back towards him by Sumit Rathi's header. He crosses again and it is cleared to Chhetri on the left side. The star striker plays the ball backward towards Nishu Kumar, who crosses the ball over Rahul Bheke's head for an ATK FC throw-in.
12'
Offside - Chhetri
Erik Paartalu from outside the box whizzes a goalwards shot. The ball falls right in the feet of Sunil Chhetri. The referee had raised his flag as the Blues' skipper was offside.
8'
ATK FC continue dominance
ATK FC get a free kick as Raphael Augusto handles the ball while trying to control it with his chest. Javier Hernandez takes the free kick from the right side of midfield. His delivery is at the far post towards Agustin Iniguez. The ball completely evades everyone and Bengaluru FC get a goal kick.
4'
Cracking start from ATK FC
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is caught in all sorts of problems. He receives a back pass but spends too much time on the ball. Roy Krishna pushes him and at the last minute, Sandhu stretches to kick it out of danger. He has hurt himself in the process. Great positive start from the hosts!
2'
Off target!
Well, that was close! David Williams receives the ball just at the edge of the box. He chips the ball forward, Roy Krishna runs on to it and shoots to hit the side netting.
1'
Kick off!
Bengaluru FC get us underway on Christmas Day. Early pressure from the hosts, sees possession change hands. ATK FC are on the attack.
Toss
Bengaluru FC win the toss. Sunil Chhetri chooses to kick off the first half.
National Anthem
The players walk out of the tunnel and make their way to the pitch. They line up either side of the referees in respect of the Indian National Anthem.
Arindam Bhattacharja (GK), Sumit Rathi, Agustin Iniguez, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das, Armando Sosa Pena, Javier Hernandez, David Williams, Jayesh Rane, Roy Krishna (C), Michael Soosairaj.
An exciting clash awaits!
Match no. 45 sees ATK FC take on Bengaluru FC at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata. The yesteryear champions, ATK FC, play their first match at home in December. A run of three away games, saw the joint top-scorers of this league, pick up only 4 points on the road. The hosts are unbeaten at home in three games they’ve played so far, with two wins and a draw. They also boast of a potent attacking trifecta of David Williams, Edu Garcia and Roy Krishna, who have scored 15 of the 18 goals the Kolkata-based club has scored so far. The Fijian, Roy Krishna, is the league’s top scorer with eight goals. He comes into this match in red-hot form, scoring 4 goals in the last three matches. ATK FC’s head coach, Antonio Habas, will surely want his players to show their true level against an opponent like Bengaluru FC, who are unbeaten in five away games. The current champions have won two games while drawing three on the road. The Blues also boast of the most miserly defense in the league, conceding only 5 goals. Bengaluru FC’s already strong defense has been bolstered by the timely return of Erik Paartalu. He was a massive presence in their most recent away victory against NorthEast United FC. The head-to-head record is heavily skewed in favour of the Blues, who have won all 4 meetings between these sides. Today’s Christmas-day fixture marks the halfway stage of the league games. A win for either will catapult them to the top. Which team will win and have a merrier Christmas? Find out at 19:30 IST.