Molina absence not a factor-Bastab Roy

The ATK assistant coach says he has the full backing of the Spaniard…

Atletico de Kolkata and NorthEast United FC will play their last game of the first half of the Indian Super League today at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati. ATK after having beaten the Highlanders, thrice in their previous four encounters in the last two editions, it will be very interesting to watch how the Sourav Ganguly co-owned team handle the rejuvenated NorthEast United FC at their home ground this season. In the absence of their head coach Jose Molina, who is serving a one match compulsory ban, ATK assistant coach Bastab Roy along with their start Indian centre-back Arnab Mondol faced the scribes in a pre-match presser in Guwahati yesterday evening. “It will be a tough game as they appear to be a well drilled side. It is a balanced side with good players in every position. If not a win a draw is also good against NorthEast,” said Bastab Roy commenting on the game against NEUFC. Eyeing the top spot in the league table, ATK are expecting their marquee player Helder Postiga to be fit for the game. “It is not yet decided whether he will play or not. He has travelled with us. Why would we bring a player who is unfit? We are happy with him and he is not a reason for concern,” Roy said on Postiga’s availability for the match. Commenting on the absence of their coach Jose Molina on the touchline following a sending off in last game he said it’s not going to be a factor. “He is with us and there is full support from him. The only difference is that he will not be there during the match proceedings, that’s all. It’s not a factor,” The former Mohun Bagan star said. Also present at the occasion was East Bengal skipper and Indian international Arnab Mondal. Commenting on their performance in the last match he said it could have been a draw. “The Diego Forlan goal was conceded by a deflection and it is not that it was Lalthlamuana’s fault. Forlan reacted ahead of him, it was just a matter of seconds. The match should have been a draw of course, but we will get more organized as the league progresses. Every team is conceding goals, Kolkata is not a special case. Those are not due to some defensive lapses but silly mistakes are to be blamed,” Mondal concluded. Photo © ISL Media