Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 21 (ANI): Liston Colaco scored a hat-trick as ATK Mohun Bagan defied awful conditions to keep their AFC Cup 2022 knockout stage hopes alive with a commanding 4-0 win over Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh on Saturday.

In a match delayed for nearly an hour due to a heavy storm, the weather did nothing to impede Colaco, who scored twice before half-time, then added a third after the interval to take his tally in the tournament to four goals in two matches.

Also Read | PSG vs Metz, Ligue 1 2021-22 Free Live Streaming Online: How to Get Match Live Telecast on TV & Football Score Updates in Indian Time?.

The win means ATK Mohun Bagan joins Bashundhara on three points from two matches, with both sides still in contention heading into Tuesday's crucial Matchday three.

Having lost against Gokulam Kerala on Wednesday, ATK Mohun Bagan returned to Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium knowing another defeat would extinguish their knockout stage hopes, while Bashundhara Kings were hopeful of building on a 1-0 win against Maziya, but inclement weather proved the most difficult opponents for both teams early on.

Also Read | Kevin De Bruyne Wins Premier League Player of the Season Award, Joins Cristiano Ronaldo in Elite Group.

After going 3-0 down, the visitors continued to push for goals of their own, but their evening went from bad to worse with 13 minutes remaining, when substitute David Williams latched onto Subhasish Bose's low cross, swivelled clear of two defenders, and hammered the ball high into the net from nine yards to cap a crucial win.

ATK Mohun Bagan can now look ahead to Tuesday's potentially decisive game against Maziya with more confidence, while Bashundhara too retain a fighting chance going into the final day. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)