Antonio Habas: I have to congratulate players for being fantastic all season

The Spaniard also congratulated Mohun Bagan for their achievement this season.

ATK clinched their third Indian Super League (ISL) title by defeating Chennaiyin FC 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Saturday. Antonio Habas and Co. had raced to a 2-0 lead before the hour mark, thanks to strikes from Javi Hernandez and Edu Garcia, before Nerijus Valskis’ 69th-minute goal setup a grandstand finish.

However, a late goal from Hernandez put the tie to bed to help the Kolkata giants cement their place as the most celebrated club in ISL history. Antonio Habas was delighted at becoming the first coach to win two ISL titles and praised his players for getting the job done.

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When asked what triggered the change in ATK’s game after a nervy start, he said, “ I think the match had two different parts. I think after the first minute we were better than Chennaiyin. But, after the injury of Roy (Krishna) in the second half, the team grew nervous. The players found the personalities to keep the score and see of the game. In reality, ATK scored three goals and Chennaiyin one.”

Habas also touted this win as more important than when he did it with ATK in the inaugural season. He said, “It’s different because in the first season and now it’s not the same competition. It wasn’t so professional then. But, now it’s more professional with better coaches, better players, a bigger length to the competition. I have to feel that this win is more important for me than the first one.”

Rather than boasting of his own achievement, Antonio Habas continued praising his players for their work as a team. He said, “I think I have to congratulate the players for being fantastic all season long. We are like a group always. We play like a group all the time, on the pitch and out of the pitch. We had problems with injuries to Carl McHugh, Agus and with Roy as well. But, the strength of the team was the quality which elevated us.”

The Spaniard also spoke on how his side felt playing in an empty stadium, but accepted it happened for a good cause. He explained, “I talked to the players about the atmosphere, that we needed to grab the atmosphere. It was very difficult to play in an empty stadium. The attention is different, the motivation is different. You feel like you need something more. But, we have a big problem with coronavirus and we must support the situation. It’s more than football.”

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While he kept quiet on plans to lead ATK-Mohun Bagan next season, he did agree it’ll be a bigger job for him, saying, "I don’t have any planning right now. I’m a professional and am contracted with ATK. Now, I know it’s a very important position. Because Mohun Bagan is a big, big club in India. We have to work with the same targets to get together and become the best club in India.”

The Spaniard also spoke on what convinced him to report to ATK earlier this season, stating it’s his personal connection which made him return. He said, “In ATK, there are some people who work here whom I love as much as I love the club. In last May, they contacted me and I immediately agreed with them. I have a special feeling with ATK from the first season. Now it’s time to continue.”

He also heaped praise on Mohun Bagan and FC Goa for finishing the league stages on top in their respective competitions, stating, “I think Mohun Bagan had a fantastic season. But, football is difficult when you have the playoffs. Sometimes, you have a fantastic season, but with little chances to win the playoffs despite coming on the first position. Another thing is coming in the fourth position with less press, fewer injuries and managing the playoffs. I think Goa was also a team who played a very high level of football. I also congratulate Mohun Bagan for their achievement.”

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Further, Antonio Habas stated that despite the injuries, it was the strength and unity of the whole squad which resulted in their joy. He explained, “We had to move in the market after the injury to Carl McHugh. He was a very important player in the central role. We didn’t have anyone else than him. I think the strength of the whole group saved the situation."

“When you have individual problems, you have one strength that is the quality of the whole squad. I think the mix between the Indian players and foreign players was fantastic. I have 30 years of experience in management and never have I had a team with lesser problems inside or outside the pitch. We have a family with no problems. That is the secret of our success," he finished off.

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