Roy Eyes Asian Cup
Star striker returns to his newly merged club
Roy Krishna is hopeful that border restrictions will ease and travel can resume safely, so he can rejoin his (newly merged) club ATK Mohun Bagan for the pre-season training. Krishna made the comments yesterday after confirming that he has extended his contract with the Indian Super League (ISL) club ATK Mohun Bagan in Kolkata, India. The merger has given Krishna the opportunity to play in next year’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.
“I will work hard to help the club have a successful AFC Asian Cup outing,” he said.
The Siberia, Labasa native captained ATK to win last season’s ISL competition where he came the joint top goal scorer. Krishna will remain with the club to the conclusion of the 2021/2021 season.
“I’m delighted to extend my contract with the club,” he said.
“After a successful season winning the 2019/20 Hero ISL Cup, I had no hesitation in choosing to remain with the champion team.
“I had a wonderful first year both on and off the field in Kolkata. “Everyone who is part of the club from my fellow players, management and fans welcomed my family and I with opened arms.
“We love being part of the culture that exists within the club.” Krishna said last season was his first experience of liiving in India. “I enjoyed my time there, despite its distance from everything I was familiar with.
“Kolkata is an amazing city with lovely people and it’s now second home for me.”
The 32-year-old is looking forward to resume training under the guidance of coach Antonio Habas and his teammates.
Krishna’s manager Rex Dawkins said he has an exciting future ahead of him.
“Even though Roy needed to explore other opportunities, ATK was always going to be his first choice. “During last season, ATK honoured their commitments both on and off the field, allowing Roy to focus on giving his best for the club.
“This is clearly reflected in his performance and the leadership responsibilities he had on their way to another Hero ISL title,” he said. Krishna had been training in Ba this week.
About Roy Krishna
Krishna was captain of the winning team ATK FC and joint top scorer for the ISL 2019/2020 with 15 goals and 6 assists.
Krishna left the Oceania region after five years as a professional footballer to explore new opportunities on the Indian subcontinent last year (2019).
He left after bagging the A League Golden Boot award with 18 goals and the coveted Johnny Warren Medal in 2018/2019 season.
Krishna holds the Wellington Phoenix Club’s record with 51 goals in 122 games.
He has also played for Waitakere United and Auckland City, and scored a goal for the latter in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup against Raja Casablanca.
He is the first Fijian to score at the Olympics, heading in a goal against Mexico at the 2016 Rio Games.
About the club
It is owned by Indian business tycoon Sanjiv Goenka. ATK participates in the Indian Super League (the club name is only ATK).
ATK was incorporated in 2014 when a new Indian league, Indian Super League was formed. In March, the owners bought 80 percent shares of the oldest football club in India, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club.
The club will announce a new name and logo next month.
Krishna’s signing is one of the first under the merger. ATK’s home ground is the 70,000-seater VYBK Stadium in Kolkata, India.
It is the biggest football stadium in India.