Kolkata: Robbie Keane’s turn to beat two defenders not only helped ATK extend their winning momentum to two matches but may have also turned their fortunes of luck, which seemed lost until now.
The defending champions eked out a hard fought 1-0 win against a depleted Delhi side at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Saturday.
Confident and dominant on the back of a vital away win against Mumbai, ‘Los Indios’ controlled proceedings for most part of the match and looked threatening only for the lack of final ball.
Robbie Keane however had other plans. A cheeky false to send Zequinha clear on goal in the 40th minute which was Portugese shot wide, forced the Irish legend to take matters in his hands and he delivered with a goal that Kolkata will remember for long time.
A long ball from Connor Thomas found the substitute Bipin Singh’s header, who paved the way for Keane to deliver. It was however not an easy task for the Tottenham star with two defenders to beat. He took a clever turn before rifling one that left Delhi custodian Arnab Sharma clueless running into the net.
Wild celebrations sparked off soon and Keane pleaded to the Namaste, something that reminded of Helder Postings, ATK’s marquee signing in 2014.
Such has been the influence of both Robbie Keane and Ryan Taylor that ATK created chances at will since the start earning two back-to-back corners in the first few minutes.
With both the coach and captain suspended, assistant coach Shakti Chauhan had promised of a different Delhi side in the field. But on display was a side that looked toothless in attacks, while their midfield was equally negligible.
ATK on the other hand, created ample chances to score, but in the end will be happy with all three points, their first at home this season. Courtesy the win the two time champions also moved up to seventh, with eight points from the same number of matches as their points.
Delhi meanwhile, remained lingering at the last position with just a win from six outings.