ATK is a side with lot of quality: JFC coach
Jamshedpur/Kolkata, Nov 8: Jamshedpur FC would look to continue their unbeaten streak when they take on ATK in Indian Super League match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday. �Jamshedpur FC, unbeaten in the league so far, have made their best-ever start in what is their third ISL season. Tata Steel owned franchisee will be looking to build on the strong start to the season after devastating the ISL expectation of Odisha FC and Hyderabad FC and thwarted the challenge of strong contenders and defending champions Bengaluru FC by restricting them to a goalless draw.
The teams find themselves in the top four with Jamshedpur FC at the third spot in the points table with 24 points, following two wins and one draw, while ATK are placed just below with 6 points after two wins and one loss.
Both the teams will be looking to build on their strong starts to the season. Antonio Iriondo’s team loves to get on the ball, with the likes of Piti and Aitor Monroy controlling the game from midfield. Jamshedpur themselves have an in-form striker in Sergio Castel. The 24-year-old has impressed already and will look to continue his good start to life in the ISL.
“We know we’re playing against a great team. It’s a very serious team and when I say serious, it’s like they know the way they want to win. They have a lot of quality in their team. I know their coach and it’s a team that gets into crazy matches who love to attack through,” said the Jamshedpur coach.
While Jamshedpur FC’s foreign players have impressed, their Indian players have not been far behind. The likes of Farukh Choudhary and Aniket Jadhav carry a goal threat too for Jamshedpur.
While Jamshedpur can be expected to have more of the ball, both teams are strong in attack. And they have some brilliant individual players at their disposal. The signs point towards a match that should see a fair amount of goals.
On the other hand, two-time ISL winners, ATK, bounced back from their opening match loss against Kerala Blasters FC and are enjoying their second-best start to an ISL season.
While
ATK have conceded only two goals so far, their attack has been on fire. Led by
David Williams who has grabbed the limelight with three goals so far and
supported by Roy Krishna, ATK’s attack has accounted for seven goals so far, a
club record at this stage.
“We have to respect every team now. I think Jamshedpur are a good side and
have a good coach also. We have to play against Jamshedpur very carefully. We
can’t target any particular player for them,” said ATK coach Antonio
Habas.
The striking feature for ATK has been their tactical flexibility. After an
attacking display against Hyderabad FC at home which they won 5-0, Antonio
Habas’ side showed defensive discipline in their 1-0 win over Chennaiyin, away
from home.
“Football is about attacking and defending. Maybe it (Chennaiyin match)
wasn’t the best match for ATK, but we won the match. Sometimes it’s less
important to play well and win the match,” said Habas.
The pace and clinical nature of their attack, which is supported by the likes
of Javier Hernandez and Michael Soosairaj, has the ability to hurt any team.
Jamshedpur FC will be aware of that particular danger and will count on their
defence to deal with the threat.
