We need to be more accurate, says Garcia
KO L KATA : Their right-back has already been ruled out of the tournament. On Tuesday, Indian Super League (ISL) leaders Atletico de Kolkata would take the field against North east United FC hoping left-back Biswajit Saha’s niggle has healed properly. The same can’t be said of Cavin Lobo though. The midfielder, who scored two stunning goals against FC Goa away --- also the last time Atletico de Kolkata won a game --- is ruled out of the game with a leg injury. As to whether it will be for the rest of the tournament will depend on the outcome of an MRI test, said Atletico de Kolkata’s goalkeepers’ coach Predipkumar Bhaktawer.
Atletico de Kolkata’s spate of draws and being unable to take their chances against Chennaiyin FC isn’t a worry but strikers need to be more prepared for chances and more accurate when they come, said skipper Luis Garcia. The good thing, Garcia said, is that we had targeted 20-25 points from the first phase and we can still get them. “Doesn’t matter if it we get them here or away.”
Asked whether the team should look at playing a second striker instead of using only a targetman, Arnal Carbo said: “We play with a certain philosophy and don’t think that should change.”
The striker, who scored in the opener and could get his second start on Tuesday, also said one of the reasons why the goals seem to have dried up is due to tiredness from inadequate recovery time.
To that North East United FC coach Ricki Herbert said: “Some teams have become precautionary, don’t want to lose….The psychology is changing from what it was at the start of the tournament.”
Herbert’s team too has a poor goals for chances ratio and like Garcia he said while there is scope for improvement there, the fact that chances are being created is good news. “Of course, we don’t have the kind of depth some of the other franchise have. I am very pleased with what this young team has achieved. We are probably 90 minutes away from a 5-0 win. Hope it happens tomorrow,” he said.
Herbert also said that the league is on an even keel now. “Delhi Dynamos (the last-placed team) can still make it to the semifinals. Halfway through the tournament if we had three teams out, the interest wouldn’t have been the same.”
RAFIQUE SORRY
Mohammed Rafique who was issued a showcause for skipping training on Sunday has apologized, said an Atletico de Kolkata official. He returned from Bangalore where he had gone to play for his employers and trained on Monday. The matter thus has been closed.