Kolkata: Defending Champions ATK returned to the city on Saturday, after the completion of it’s almost one month pre-season in Dubai. The entire set-up of the two time time champions had undergone a change after breaking up ties with Atletico Madrid. Teddy Sheringham has been appointed as the head coach, while Ashley Westwood was made the technical director. The club signed a host of top Indian players before making some splendid overseas additions, with Robbie Keane leading the line.
The team had headed to Dubai on the 12th of October and played four pre-season matches, winning all of them, while scoring 13 goals and conceding just four. Robbie Keane led the scoring charts with four goals to his name, showing proofs that although aged, he still has the potential and ability to fight for a starting berth in the line-up.
ATK reportedly, trained at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai. The facility had two training grounds where the players had two sessions per day. The sessions were all designed by head coach Teddy Sheringham, keeping the mind the upcoming long gruelling season.
The players slowly returned to full fitness and looked in full flow in their final game, where they thrashed Turkmenistan U19s with a 5-1 margins of goals. Strikers Bipin Singh Thounaojam and Robin Singh, Portuguese forward Santos Branco (Zequinha) along with domestic midfielder, Rupert Nongrum were also among the goals, which is indeed a good sign for ATK as they aim for their third title in four years.
Westwood had returned four days prior to the dats of the arrival of the players back to India, to make all the necessary arrangements for the team. Fans gathered in numbers to welcome their new heros at the Dumdum airport on Saturday, reported Xtratime.
Meanwhile, ATK play their first match against Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi on the opening day of the ISL, in what will be a repeat match of last year’s final. Both sides have undergone similar changes with ATK taking a step more in club ownership changes, while Kerala added a couple of Manchester United greats to their already star studded squad.