The Indian Super League 2016 semifinal between Mumbai City and Atletico de Kolkata ended in an ugly brawl after the visitors held on for a 3-2 aggregate win at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
ATK suffered a major blow late in the half when midfielder Robert Lalthlamuana was sent off in the 43rd minute but they held on to their first leg lead in a fiery match which ended with a brawl that saw right-back Pritam Kotal with a bloodied eye.
It seemed Leo D’Cunha was the chief orchestrator of the brawl, kicking and shoving before breaking free from the melee – it was his flailing arm that caught Kotal in the eye.
Players and staff got involved as fists flew, before security intervened. The ISL has grown notorious for brawls, especially after last year’s final saw Chennaiyin and FC Goa get involved in a similar brawl at the end of the final. That saw Brazilian star Elano get charged by the Goan police. Zico’s side didn’t come out for the post-match press conference and Goa were heavily punished for their involvement in the fight.
Atletico have reached the second final in three years, and will face either Kerala Blasters or Delhi Dynamos in the final.
