Goa: A 67-minute strike from Roy Krishna ensured newly merged club ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) begin their ISL seven campaign with a win. Following the win, ATKMB coach Antonio Habas heaped praise on his players for getting off to a winning start. ATKMB defeated Kochi-based Kerala Blasters at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Friday.
“It is very difficult to compete well after a long period of time away from the game. But this is football. The team played fantastic during the game. Now we have to think about the game against SC East Bengal and we will prepare by training every day,” Habas said.
Following the win, the Spaniard said that he had to 'correct with the situation of the central midfielders and the strikers'. ATKMB will next face their Kolkata rival Sporting Club East Bengal at Tilak Maidan Stadium in Bambolim on November 27.
“We had to correct the situation of the central midfielders and the strikers. After the substitution [of Pronay Halder with Manvir Singh], we improved. We had to press the opponents and I feel this result is good for us. Kerala played well but I am very happy with the three points today," Habas said.
Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters coach Kibu Vicuna is not disappointed with his team's performance in the first match of the season. But he pointed out the areas where the Kochi side needs improvement.
“Our plan for the game was very clear. We are happy with the performance of the team. Unfortunately, we lost because of that goal. We had some chances to score but we didn’t convert so now we have to focus on the next game. We have to improve in the final third. Our attackers and midfielders didn’t participate too much in the final third. So we have to try to improve this aspect of the game,” he said.
Kerala Blasters, the 2014 and 2016 runners-up, will return to the GMC Stadium to take on NorthEast United FC on November 26 in their second game of the season.
