According to a press release by ISL, ATK Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United finished on level terms post their first leg playoffs of the Hero Indian Super League. The second leg will take place in the Fatorda Stadium on Tuesday to determine if NorthEast United will qualify for their first final or if Antonio Habas will take his team to a third one. Bagan coach Antonio Habas was deprived of a victory in the first leg by a late header from Idrissa Sylla, the outcome that heaped the pressure on Bagan, who haven’t been in their best form lately. The Kolkata side has had a powerful defence throughout the course of the season, having conceded as low as just 15 in the league stage. The team however, has conceded 5 goals in the last 3 matches that made them lose the Hero ISL League Winners Shield along with an advantage in the first leg. Coach Habas feels such situations do spring in the games where players tend to lose concentration. Habas, looking relaxed ahead of the second leg said, “There is no pressure.” “It’s all about a big opportunity and this opportunity wouldn’t come again. We have to enjoy now. We have to give our best and enjoy the semi-finals” he added.
When asked about his approach against Khalid Jamil’s team, that are unbeaten in the last 10 games, Habas responded by saying he had instructed his players to stay calm. “Strategy is to keep calm and keep the intensity and to try to win. It’s more important to play with calmness and to go through to the final,” he said. Bagan’s hopes will ride on the shoulders of David Williams and Roy Krishna on Tuesday as the duo have always risen to the occasion and never failed to contribute with goals at this stage.
NorthEast United have been unbeaten under Jamil and will be in their first-ever final if they defeat ATK Mohun Bagan. “We have to focus on getting the result as it is a do-or-die game,” stated Jamil. “There is always pressure. I have told the boys to enjoy this pressure. Both teams have to fight for a result because of no away goals, so it is the same for our opponent as well.”
“We will have to create more scoring opportunities and put them under pressure. One team will have to outscore the other in this one as a draw will create the added load of 30 minutes,” he said.
