ISL 2020-21: Antonio Lopez Habas terms ATK Mohun Bagan balanced following Kerala Blasters FC thriller

By Team Newsable | First Published Feb 1, 2021, 10:27 AM IST

ATK Mohun Bagan maintained its second spot with the win, while Kerala Blasters FC continues to lurk at the ninth place. ATK was the defending champion, having won the title last season, before MB merger this season, while Blasters is yet to win it to date.

Indian Super League giant, ATK Mohun Bagan made a phenomenal comeback to edge past Kerala Blasters FC, 3-2, at the Fatorda Stadium in Bengaluru, on Sunday. While ATKMB stays on second, Blasters remains at ninth.

Gary Hooper handed Blasters the lead in the 14th minute, before being doubled by Costa Nhamoinesu at 51st. Nonetheless, Marcelinho pulled one back for ATKMB in 59th, while Roy Krishna levelled it with a penalty in the 65th, before scoring the winner in the 87th.

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Following the game, ATKMB boss, Antonio Lopez Habas reckoned that the side's balance was crucial in making a comeback. "Maybe, we didn't put up a good performance in the first half, but I am very happy with the final result. We deserved this score. Balance is the magic word. I prefer winning 1-0 rather than a draw or lose the game. This is football. We don't have a team for scoring four or five goals in every game, no team in the league (has that)," he said, reports goal.com.

ALSO READ: Roy Krishna's brace allows ATK Mohun Bagan to edge past Kerala Blasters FC in a thriller

"Today, we had more issues in the first XI with injures and we scored three goals. In the second half, we were fantastic and stayed strong. We want to recover the best Marcelinho, from his Delhi Dynamos (days). He needs more minutes and confidence, but the goal he scored today was confident, fantastic for us," he added.

Meanwhile, Blasters manager, Kibu Vicuna was extremely disappointed with the loss. "We have no time to think about the game, but only to correct things and we have to play against Mumbai City (next). I am very disappointed (about the result). I think the first goal was key and they were telling me that it was a handball by Manvir (Singh) for the penalty. I am very, very hurt," he said, reports goal.com.

"It was a game that we wanted to win. They scored in the 88th minute, it is football, they also wanted to win the game and that's all. We knew they are a good team, but I think we played well. The first goal was key. I am proud of my players. They are doing their best they can. We lost the game. It is part of the football. The first half and the beginning of the second half were very good. It was very even. We have to come back, we have to p[prepare (for Mumbai), we are a professional team," he concluded.

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