ISL: ATK, Pune finish 1-1

Kostas Katsouranis let loose a sharp volley to enable hosts FC Pune City steal a point with a 1-1 scoreline against Atletico De Kolkata here Saturday.

It was the Czech winger Jakub Podany who put the visitors ahead, but the goal was nullified by the star Greek medio Katsouranis in the injury time of the first half.

The indecisive 11th round tie consolidated ATK's position in the second position with 17 points, two less than leaders Chennaiyin FC. Pune slipped two places to seventh logging 13 points.

The lively exchange saw Luis Garcia run through the right flank unchallenged in the 11th minute and send in a cross into the box. Podany followed up neatly unleashing a snap header into the net past rival custodian Arindam Bhattacharya.

Greece's stand-in World Cup Captain Katsouranis equalised for the home side in the injury time of the opening session. Following a commotion inside the box, Pune's Italian defender Bruno Cirillo hauled the ball into the danger zone and Katsouranis - later adjudged hero of the match - did what was necessary.

ATK defender Nallapan Mohanraj was brilliant throughout the game, not giving the star Pune midfielder Jermaine Pennant an inch of space. However, Pennant had to be substituted later on after a Fikru Teferra tackle.

The second half began with the usual pace and temperament of the first, with both side creating chances, but none taking them. Thirty-six-year-old Garcia was the spark inside the ATK ranks, again defying his age.

Both sides were sloppy though, mispassing the ball way too often. The talismanic Ethiopian forward Fikru of ATK found himself alone upfront with very little support from his teammates, who played long balls hoping the striker would come up trumps.

Six minutes before the hour, Kostas tried his luck from a distance, but the Armenian goalkeeper Edel Bete dived to his right to make a miraculous save to keep the visitors in the game.

Garcia's substitution 67 minutes into the match was uncalled for as the ATK midfielder was creating lots of chances. Just a minute ago, his left footed effort had missed the target narrowly. Spaniard Jofre Mateu, who came in as a replacement, did not do justice to the faith reposed in him by coach Antonio Habas.

The last few minutes of the game saw the ball rolling from one end to the other, with Pune creating more chances, but Bete was equal to the task.