Kolkata: Playing their first match at home, defending champions ATK will look to get back to winning ways when they take on FC Pune City at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. The home support in the past three seasons had a big say in making ATK one of the most successful teams in the short history of the ISL and new head coach Teddy Sheringham expects fans to turn up in big numbers and support them as they aim to make the city, a fortress for ATK.
“When we play at home we need to win. So it will certainly make the away games easier if we do that. We want to impress our fans, we wish for thousands to turn up. we would love to have a full house tomorrow because that’s the passion of the ATK fans I have heard about. I love to play in front of an full house and play to win,” said the ATK head coach, ahead of the match on Sunday.
It will however not be an easy task for the home team, given their opposition has five foreigners all of whom played in the ISL last season. They are aware of the atmosphere and are far better experienced than their ATK counterparts. Sheringham although acknowledging it as a slight advantage for Pune claimed to turn things around with a better preparation and a better plan.
“Yeah, I think it is an advantage, that’s why we have to be in top form, because they understand what will be coming tomorrow, which is why we have to prepare more than normal so that we can counter that advantage. We have Ashley westwood who gives us a lot of insight, that’s very informative for us. But you have to learn these experiences very quickly as a player and a staff so that we can do better in the next game and the next game and the next,” said the former Manchester United legend.
Although ATK played out a goalless draw against the Kerala Blasters in their first game, they looked confident on ball. Pune on the other hand lost 2-3 against the Delhi Dynamos. But having watched his opposition’s previous match Teddy is aware of the threat they possess and wants his players to notch up their game to entertain the crowd and not let Pune take control of things.
“I think there are very dangerous outfit. We saw their first game. I know they lost 3-2, but I thought they were very dangerous in parts. They have got some exceptional players. We have to be on our guard. Its a game that could go either way, but we want it to go our way. We have to be on top form to be able to do that. I have got respect for a lot of their players. We don’t want them to entertain our crowds, we want our team to entertain our crowd, so we have go about it the right way,” he added.
Marcelinho and Alfaro were two of the highest goal scores last season and interestingly, both play for Pune this season. Sheringham is however aware of the threat both of them possess and he concluded saying, “Yes we know about them. They are very accustomed to Indian football. We have watch every one of them as well as the Indian boys, a couple of them have been very impressive. Its going to be tough game, one that we have to be in our best form.”