Atletico de Kolkata’s erratic run in their away matches continued as a spirited Pune City FC held them to a 1-1 draw in an 11th round encounter of the Indian Super league, here on Saturday.
Jakub Podany’s 11th strike for ATK was neutralised by Pune’s Greek World Cupper Kostas Katsouranis during the dying moments of the first half as the Kolkata outfit remained firmly in contention for a berth in the semi-finals.
ATK remain in second place in the eight-team table with 17 points from 11 games while Pune are seventh in the table with 13 points despite being on even keel with Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United — the reason being their inferior goal difference.
The visitors got the lead against the run of play in the 11th minute when India U-23 defender Pritam Kotal misjudged a long ball and ATK skipper luis Garcia sent a measured cross for Podany, who timed his jump to perfection nodding the ball home.
ATK’s giant custodian Edel Bete had a good match as he pulled off couple lovely saves on either side of the break to avert danger. Hungarian Krtian Vadocz took a crack at goal in the 30th minute but the 6feet 5 inches tall Bete was equal to the task.
Pune finally got the equalizer in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half. It was corner which ATK defence couldn’t clear properly and Pune skipper Cirillo sent it back in the melee.
With Dudu Omagbemi pressing hard, Spanish defender Josemi’s head went as far as a lurking Kostas, whose powerful shot restored parity. This was Kostas’ fourth goal in the cash-rich league.
