ISL 4: ATK ready to tackle Goa

Kolkata: Upbeat after registering the season’s maiden home victory, defending champions ATK would look to continue their winning run when they face FC Goa in a Indian Super League match, here on Wednesday.

The most successful ISL franchise had kicked off their title defence shakily, being winless from four matches.

But the two-time champions have brought their title campaign back on track with victories over Mumbai City and Delhi Dynamos, the last coming at their home ground — Salt Lake Stadium — in their last round fixture.

ATK are now at seventh place with eight points from six matches.

The season’s maiden home victory only turned sweeter when star Irish captain Robbie Keane fired home the winner in a sheer moment of brilliance. The hosts broke the deadlock 12 minutes from time when Keane chested the ball from substitute Bipin Singh’s headed pass, brought it down, and turned his marker before placing the ball exquisitely into the bottom right corner of the goal.

While ATK appeared to be finding their mojo back, fancied Goa have started slipping after securing four wins from five outings. They are now placed fifth in the standings with 12 points from six games.