AHMEDABAD, APRIL 28: Ambernath United Atlanta FC stunned ARA FC in their own backyard as they scored a last minute winner to seal all three points and a place in the final round of Hero I-League 2.
Going into the final group stage match, Ambernath United Atlanta FC found themselves on 14 points, three points behind ARA FC who were on 17 points.
ARA FC were first to strike as through Hijam Lenin Singh as they went ahead in the 13th minute taking a crucial lead in this all important match.
Himanshu Patil scored in the 21st minute as captain fantastic made it 1-1. The teams went into the break level at 1-1.
For the entire second half the match was on a knife-edge as both sides went in search of the winner.
Just when we were heading for a 1-1, Shravan Shetty scored the winning goal in the 96th minute to silence everyone at the Shahibaug Police Ground and send Ambernath United Atlanta FC into the final round of Hero I-League 2.
With three points sealed, both ARA FC and Ambernath United Atlanta FC finish on 17 points in Group D. Since Group B has fewer teams, the result against fifth-placed teams in other groups will not be counted for the table rankings. In Group D, FC Goa finish bottom of the group. Hence AUA FC’s four points against them and ARA FC’s six points against them won’t be counted. So Ambernath United Atlanta FC finish top of Group D on 13 points and ARA FC finish second with 11 points
Steven Dias’ side stepped up in the final stretch of the group stages when it mattered the most. Having won only once in their first four games, they win four on the trot to seal qualification.
Ambernath United Atlanta FC having had two wonderful domestic seasons since inception have now added another feather to their cap. They move into the final round as their highflying debut season in the Hero I-League 2 continues.
