Rejuvenated ATK to face FC Goa
KOLKATA: Upbeat after registering the season’s maiden home victory, defending champions ATK would look to continue their winning run when they face FC Goa in an Indian Super League match, here on Wednesday.
The most successful ISL franchise had kicked off their title defence on a shaky note after being winless from four matches.
But the two-time champions have brought their title campaign back on track with successive victories over Mumbai City and Delhi Dynamos, the last coming at their home ground Saltlake Stadium in their last round fixture.
ATK are now at seventh place with eight points from six matches.
The season’s maiden home victory only turned sweeter when star Irish captain Robbie Keane fired home the winner in a sheer moment of brilliance.
The hosts broke the deadlock 12 minutes from time when Keane chested the ball from substitute Bipin Singh’s headed pass, brought it down, and turned his marker before placing the ball exquisitely into the bottom right corner of the goal.
While ATK appeared to be finding their mojo back, fancied Goa have started slipping after securing four wins from five outings. They are now placed fifth in the standings with 12 points from six games.
The Gaurs will be smarting from a 0-2 defeat against FC Pune City at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium their maiden home defeat of 2017-18 season.
This was also the first time of the season that the Goans failed to find the back of the net and they would be under pressure to score against a Keanebolstered ATK attack.
Goa’s defence is not as strong as their attacking unit and the Teddy Sheringhamcoached side would be hoping to take the early advantage to put pressure on the visitors.
“Like I have said before, we lose and win as a team. Had we taken our chances, the game would have been completely different. When we moved up the field, we left a bit of space behind, and they took advantage of that. But I don’t see it as a problem with the defence,” Goa’s Spaniard head coach Sergio Lobera said.
The 40-year-old, however, wants to take the positives into count ahead of the big match.
“The loss made sure that our feet are grounded. It tells us that we still have a lot of work to do. We have to improve our mistakes, and we have to be capable to grab our chances,” Lobera said.
It’s not only Keane but the inclusion of former Newcastle United player Ryan Taylor, who was brought in as a replacement for the injured Carl Baker, that has benefited the red-and- whites. KOLKATA: Lavishing praise on marquee signing Robbie Keane, ATK coach Teddy Sheringham on Tuesday said the Tottenham Hotspur legend does things in training which are “special” and that the team would not be the same without him.
Keane helped the two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions log three points against Delhi Dynamos at home in their last game with a superb second-half goal.
The match was headed for a draw when Keane showed world-class skills to swivel inside the box and ruffle the right bottom corner with elan.
“He is a fantastic player. He is a world renowned football player. Everyday in training he does something special. That’s why I asked him to come,” Sheringham told reporters on the eve of ATK’S home encounter against FC Goa.
Keane could not play the first few matches for the defending champions due to injury but since joining the ranks, ATK have looked sharper up front.
Sheringham said since ATK have played two games less than most other teams, their position — 7th — in the points table is not accurate.
“We have played six games compared to some who have played eight. So it looks worse than it is, the table. We are a few points behind at seventh. We want to rectify that and want to continue the good run,” Sheringham said. NEW DELHI: A war of words broke out between Arrows goalkeeping coach Yusuf Ansari and East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil during their fixture at the Ambedkar Stadium on Tuesday.
“Chup saale b ****** d,” the Indian Arrows goalkeeping coach was heard shouting from the sidelines on East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil who was standing in his coaching box during the 43rd minute of the match.
Later on, the assistant referee was seen looking into the matter and the official warned Ansari for his misbehaviour.
He was apparently irritated when Jamil continued to egg on the East Bengal players to score more goals after the visitors opened up a 2-0 lead to win the match.