Kolkata: Things have changed a tad too quickly for the defending champions ATK, from winning the title twice in three seasons to lingering at bottom last position, the Kolkata outfits have had a topsy-turvy campaign so far.
But now on a winning run of two games coach Teddy Sheringham hoped that his boys can keep up the good work and continue the sweet run when that take on high-flying FC Goa at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Wednesday.
“I certainly hope so. But you never know in football. Things change very very quickly. When you are losing football matches you can’t see yourself winning but When you are winning you don’t want to see yourself losing. There is this strange feeling in the camp but we have to be on our guard and make sure we keep performing and keep the winning run on,” said the former Manchester Untied star at the pre-match conference.
Placed seventh after the end of six rounds of matches this team have come under the scrutiny more often for their lack of winning games, than for good reasons. Sheringham however feels there is a long way to go. “We have only played six games compared to some that have played eight. It looks worst than what it is.”
But on Wednesday they face a Goan side that has lost just two of the total six matches they have played and aware of the current form of his opponents Teddy accepted it will take more than just good football to claim all three points against the ‘Gaurs’. “I’m very impressed with FC Goa,” he said. “They have very good foreign players and one or two very good Indian players that we have highlighted. We have to be at our best to beat them as they are a very dangerous team.”
Yet Goa have never failed to beat ATK in Kolkata in the past three seasons, but if this is something the Englishmen considers to be an advantage for them, Goa’s assistant coach Derek Pereira confidently warned, “This season is a different team and longer compietion. Teams have had time to prepare, enough time to analyze opponents. It is a different game, a different coach and I think we can change that tomorrow.”
The loss against FC Pune in their previous encounter haven’t bothered them more than just ‘another bad day in office’ and Pereira believes that the team can get back to winning ways while sticking to (their) style, formation and play football that is enjoyable.”
However while Goa have played a thoroughly team game attacking with more men up-front ATK’s season unleashed a new life with the return of Robbie Keane, whose presence in the opposition half has been enough for the current champions to secure two victories in as many matches, with Keane scoring a wonderful goal against Delhi and Sheringham said he cannot imagine this side without the Irish legend accepting that it will not be the same sans the 37 year-old.
“He is a famous striker. A world renowned player and every day he does something in training that the other players call special. He has been an insipiration and I would not think of this team without him,” said the once teammate of Keane at Tottenham.
The match will also be a clash of styles between a Spanish passing football against the British game of physicals. Whatever it may take, both the team will nonetheless fight to ‘earn the right to win this matche and get points on the table which are very hard to come by in any league.’