Kolkata: Atletico de Kolkata will have to perform likechampions if they want to reverse the result of away match against bottom placed NEUFC in return play of Hero Indian Super football tie at Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday.
The 8th round play is crucial for qualification for knock out stage as a win can take defending champions ATK on second spot along with FC Pune City inthe eight-team championship for second edition. FC Goa are atop the pole with 14 points from eight games, followed by Pune with 13 points from eight matches and Roberto Carlos coached Delhi Dynamos FC, also have 13 points with one game to play.
The bottom side North East with seven points from as many games, however, had beaten antonia Habas side Kolkata by a goal when they hosted match at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on October 23 last.
But Habas men without their marquee player Helder Postiga recovered brilliantly after three successive losses, including a home match against Delhi, beat Mumbai City FC 4-1 in the previous away play. Antonio Habas told his players that only a win against North East can take them far in the championship.
New singing Md Rafique can find a place in the front line, which is not performing upto the mark after Postiga’s out in the first match. Postiga scored twice in the opener before stretchered out in Chennai. Since then Kolkata have been finding it tough for a suitablefront-liner. Rafique, who famously scored the winning goal in the final match in last seasonto give Kolkata the trophy, may find a place for replacement during the game. After Postiga’s exit, the front line is mostly occupied by Iain Hume, who finds not much support from his partners in goalmouth.
Hume scored first against Mumbai in last six matches.
After suffering a three consecutive losses, including one at home, the injury-ravaged ATK bounced back in style picking up a 4-1 win against the in-form Mumbai City FC, which had three wins on the trot.
The win in Mumbai also saw their main forward Iain Hume opening his account after a quiet six matches.
The former Kerala Blasters striker had taken up ATK’s striker’s role after Postiga returned home with a hamstring injury. (PTI)
