Ambernath United Atlanta FC Soars to Table Summit with Stellar Display

Ambernath United Atlanta continued their remarkable run of form in the Hero I-League 2 by overpowering Shillong Lajong with a convincing 5-1 victory, asserting their dominance at the top of the standings.

Having triumphed in their opening match of the final round with a 1-0 win, Steven Dias’ side extended their winning streak to six matches, comprising four wins in the group stages and two in the final round. Their latest triumph was a spectacle of complete control, elegance, and dominance, as they lit up the Cooperage Stadium with goals from five different players.

Arif Shaikh and Adil Khan provided a 2-0 lead for the home team going into halftime. Arif struck midway through the first half, and Adil’s goal just before the break doubled their advantage. Shravan Shetty, who has become renowned for scoring crucial goals in the club’s history, found the back of the net once again in the 56th minute, making it 3-0.

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Shillong Lajong managed to pull one goal back through Hardy Nongbri in the 67th minute, reducing the deficit to two. However, Ambernath United swiftly responded by sealing their victory with two late goals. Johnson Matthews scored in the 87th minute, extending the lead to 4-1, and captain Himanshu Patil added a fifth in the subsequent minute, making it 5-1.

With consecutive home wins in the final round, Ambernath United Atlanta FC surged to the top of the table with six points. Delhi FC secured second place with four points after a hard-fought 3-2 victory away to United SC. Shillong Lajong occupied the third spot with four points as well.

FC Bengaluru United held the fourth position with three points, thanks to one win and one loss. Meanwhile, United SC remained winless and rooted to the bottom of the table.

Head coach Steven Dias expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledged their progress toward securing a place in the Hero I-League 2023-24 season, and looked ahead to upcoming matches and the fans’ support.

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Reflecting on the team’s performance, Dias remarked that the players had consistently given their all and had prepared well for the match against a strong opponent like Shillong Lajong. He emphasized the importance of not getting ahead of themselves and remaining focused on the upcoming challenges.

When asked about the team’s strategy for the matches against United SC and Delhi SC, Dias emphasized that if his players gave their best, victory was attainable. He highlighted the significance of the fans’ support, expressing gratitude for their presence and urging them to continue backing the team.

Ambernath United Atlanta FC is on the verge of achieving something special, potentially sealing qualification for the Hero I-League 2023-24 season. With two away matches remaining, they are taking it one step at a time.

Their next encounter will be an away fixture against United SC at the Kalyani Municipal Sports Complex in West Bengal. The match is scheduled for Sunday, 21st May 2023, with kickoff at 4 pm.