Kolkata to host first leg of semi-final today
Kolkata: Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) know well that they have to get our of their “draw” mode and go for the kill against an in-form Mumbai City FC in their semi-final first leg football match of the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Saturday.
ATK, according to their Spanish head coach Jose Molina, have done what they set out to do in reaching the playoffs. But it would be incorrect to say that the former champions did it in style.
Having played out eight draws out of their 14 league outings, more worryingly winning only once at their Rabindra Sarovar Stadium home ground, the Sourav Ganguly co-owned side have huffed and puffed in their journey till the last four.
And against Mumbai who besides standing in good stead also boast of an envious attacking line comprising Uruguayan hitman Diego Forlan, India’s most accomplished striker Sunil Chhetri, nippy Haitian Sony Norde and Argentine Matias Defederico, it won’t be smooth sailing.
Forlan, in fact, was the difference between ATK and Mumbai here with his second half strike, earning the away side three points and inflicting ATK’s only defeat in their own lair.
Besides the top half, Mumbai have a solid backline also led by Romanian Lucian Goian who has been one of ISL’s best centre-backs. (IANS)