By the middle of the first half, there were pacey crosses in either direction, with robust challenges also coming into the fray which would result in three yellow cards before the half-time whistle.
The result means ATKMB could not break into the top-four, remaining fifth with 20 points from 12 games.
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AFC Cup tie moved to neutral venue after Australia denies Myanmar club visas
Sunil Chhetri was once again the man of the moment as he struck a brace to inspire India to a 2-0 win over Cambodia in the third round of qualifying for next year's Asian Cup.
A winless India remained in fourth spot in the group with three points from six matches. India are already out of contention for a World Cup berth but they are still in the reckoning for the 2023 Asian Cup.
The Mariners will return home for the Kolkata Derby against East Bengal on October 29.
India now play Bangladesh in the summit clash on Sunday.
Seven-time champions India were held to a goalless draw by 205th ranked Sri Lanka despite a dominant display in their second SAFF Championships match, in Male, on Thursday.
Sunil Chhetri, playing in his 121st international in the SAFF Championship, struck in the 27th minute to place himself just a goal shy of legendary Brazillian Pele (77 goals from 92 matches).
As in their last match against Kerala Blasters, ATKMB struggled to get going initially, while SCEB made some fine attacking moves but lacked the finishing touches.
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But they missed a flurry of chances with the striking line-up of Manvir Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Liston Colaco showing little coordination upfront, underlining the lack of firepower in the absence of Roy Krishna and David Williams.
Playing with ten debutants, India came back strongly in the second half to eke out a draw in their first international game since the COVID-19 lockdown last March.
The first meeting of the season between Hero Indian Super League heavyweights finished all square after FC Goa and Bengaluru FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, in Margao, on Monday.
Roy Krishna had a couple of half-chances thereafter but good reflexes from Mirshad Michu in NorthEast goal and Krishna's inefficiency to keep the ball on target kept the score to 1-0.
Sunil Chhetri equalled the iconic Lionel Messi with his 80th international strike as an inspired India blanked Nepal 3-0 for their eighth SAFF Championship title, in Male, on Saturday. India extended their domination in the regional tournament thanks to second half goals from Chhetri (49th minute), Suresh Singh (50th) and Sahal Abdul Samad (90th).
Chhetri expressed his desire to play the Asian Cup on home soil
Valskis scored in the 30th and 66th minute while Roy Krishna pulled one back for ATKMB in the 80th minute.
ATKMB dominated the early exchanges and constantly raided the opposition box. However, Odisha did well to close down the spaces and keep things tight at the back.
Farukh Choudhary and skipper Sunil Chhetri struck in the second half to guide India to a 2-1 victory over Nepal in their second International friendly, in Kathmandu, on Sunday.
ATKMB looked the likelier of the two teams to take the lead in the opening exchanges, with the Mariners needing two goals at least to make a comeback.
Bengaluru FC played their hearts out to score an equaliser but looked clueless against an organised ATKMB defence
India suffered an embarrassing 0-6 rout at the hands of formidable United Arab Emirates -- their heaviest defeat against the Gulf side -- in the second international football friendly in Dubai on Monday.
Poor finishing and scrappy defending put paid to India's quest for an eighth South Asian Football Federation Cup title as it suffered a 1-2 defeat against Maldives in the summit clash, in Dhaka, on Saturday.
Star striker Ferran Corominas converted an early penalty (6th minute) to hand the hosts the lead before second-half strikes from Jackichand Singh (55th), Edu Bedia (61st) made it 3-0. A late brace from Miguel Palanca (84th, 90th) condemned Mumbai City to a heavy defeat.
Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 1-0 to win Durand Cup title for first time after 23 years
FC Goa overcame a strong fightback from Odisha FC after being three goals up to prevail 4-2 and reclaim the top spot in the Indian Super League, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, on Wednesday.
Sunil Chhetri likened the national team setup with his home and expressed his relief at returning to where he belongs
An unmarked Pritam Kotal got in between the Goa centre-backs and nodded the ball into the net to give them the lead.
India remained winless in their qualifying campaign so far.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday.
India are virtually knocked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying round after losing 0-1 to Oman, in Muscat, on Tuesday.
Dheeraj, whose performance under the woodwork during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India earned him accolades, is the third player after skipper Amarjit Singh and defender Anwar Ali from that squad, to get a call in the senior team camp.
Having endured a topsy-turvy start to their campaign before a fine turnaround, seven-time champions India start as title favourites when they take on first-time finalists Nepal in the summit clash of the SAFF Championships, in Male, on Saturday.
In a thrilling Hero Indian Super League final, ATK Mohun Bagan beat Bengaluru FC via penalties to clinch the ISL title.
Buoyed by their gallant goalless draw against Asian champions Qatar, India would be looking to register their first win in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they take on Bangladesh.
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Adil Khan ensured that India at least secure a point from the home match
India will start as favourites against Maldives in the summit clash of the South Asian Football Federation Cup, in Dhaka, on Saturday.
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