With Habas, success not too far behind for ATK

Javier Hernandez’s brace and Arindam Bhattacharja’s heroic goalkeeping ensured ensured a historic triumph for ATK in the Hero Indian Super League final against Chennaiyin at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa, on Saturday.
The Kolkata-based club became the only side to win the trophy three times, but those who have followed them since the start are not surprised.
ATK’s journey to the trophy started way in the summer of 2019 when they decided to welcome Antonio Habas back as the head coach. The Spanish coach had led the club to their first ISL victory in the inaugural edition in 2014, and after two seasons without trophies, the management went back to adopting the tried and tested approach.
Habas knew how to succeed in Indian football and his valuable experience helped the team on and off the field. He called the shots and assembled a strong squad in pre-season, one that looked favourites to go all the way, even before a ball was kicked.
“The way people (fans) love me, I love ATK. I didn’t have a team in June and when ATK contacted me, I immediately agreed to join them because I had a special feeling with ATK from the first season and now I feel like continuing,” said Habas. Habas’s ability to unite a dressing room full of top professional footballers for a common cause remains striking. ATK projected a united front under Habas and both the Indians and foreigners alike played their part in the team’s success this season.
January was an important month for ATK. As the club chased top four, the owners RPSG Group announced the acquisition of a majority stake in I-League club Mohun Bagan. Two months later, ahead of the historic coming together of Kolkata’s favourite clubs, both clubs have won the trophies in their respective leagues.
As the champions of Hero Indian Super League and Hero I-League combine to form a new entity, it is safe to say that Kolkata is back on the map as the sporting powerhouse of India. “Mohun Bagan is a big club in India but we have to work with the same target to be the best club in India,” said the former Atletico Madrid manager.
The club will now be keenly followed by the football aficionados across the country. They will also represent India in Asian club competitions next season and will be confident about a strong performance at the Asian level. With Habas, success is never too far behind.
Also Read: Miracle at Kolkata as Williams brace helps ATK stun Bengaluru
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Show off your Indian and European football knowledge with the football fantasy game from Playerzpot. Download the App with our special Footballcounter referral code, start playing and win cash daily.
Download app here: Link or click on the image below
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
Hekmat Singh stars with a double hat-trick as Customs beat ESIC 7-0
Defying his age, Hekmat produced a clinical display of finishing in front of goal as he pumped in half a dozen himself in Customs 7-0 rout out of ESIC On…
We want to win this league unbeaten: Steven Dias
Playing their first season in MFA Elite League, Ambernath Utd – Atlanta FC coached by former India International Steven Dias has been on a rampaging run so far having beaten every opponent they have faced.
Arif Shaikh’s brace leads 10 Man Ambernath Utd – Atlanta FC to another comfortable win
13 in 13! Despite being down to 10 men, Ambernath United – Atlanta FC managed to continue their winning streak as they beat DK Pharma 3-0 Continuing their rich vein…
Football News / I-league / Kenkre Football Club
Kenkre FC: A Story of Inexperience, Determination, and Colossal fighting spirit
From a disappointing start to getting so close to pulling off a miraculous survival, Kenkre’s first-ever Hero I League season can be termed as the story of the season. It…
MSP Academy is holding trials for the upcoming MFA Youth League
MFA Super Division club Mumbai Soccer Prodigies will be conducting trials for their MFA Youth League campaign on 22nd May 2022 in Bandra, Mumbai. Founded in 2006, the Mumbai Soccer…
Western Railway holds Mumbai Customs to a goalless draw
Despite some assertive football from Mumbai Customs, Western Railway showed brave character to hold the defending champions to a goalless draw in an Elite Division tie of the MFA at…
Football News / I-league / Kenkre Football Club
Ranjeet Pandre selected for the All-Stars squad for the game against the Indian national team
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on 11 May 2022 announced the roster for the preparatory match between the national team and the All-Stars team to be played later this…
Gokulam Kerala vs Mohammedan SC: Who needs what to win Hero I-League title
Sreenidi Deccan FC’s stunning 3-1 victory over Gokulam Kerala on Tuesday threw a spanner in the defending champions’ works to reclaim their Hero I-League crown as Mohammedan SC kept their…
Football News / I-league / Indian Women's League / Women Football
Gokulam Kerala women take inspiration from men’s victory in Hero I-League
Gokulam Kerala FC created history in Indian Football on Saturday, May 14, when they defeated Mohammedan SC 2-1 to win back-to-back Hero I-League titles for the first time in the…
Football News / WIFA Inter District / Women Football
Mumbai, Kolhapur, Palghar & Satara advance to the quarterfinals of WIFA Interdistrict U-17 Girls Tournament
On Day-4 of the ongoing WIFA Interdistrict U-17 Girls Tournament, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Palghar & Satara confirm their places in the quarter-finals Mumbai ride on Gaia Ferro’s brace to beat Yavatmal…
MSP Academy is holding trials for the upcoming MFA Youth League
MFA Super Division club Mumbai Soccer Prodigies will be conducting trials for their MFA Youth League campaign on 22nd May 2022 in Bandra, Mumbai. Founded in 2006, the Mumbai Soccer…
Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Football School of India to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based Football School of India is going to conduct youth trials for its boys and girls squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-13…
Bengaluru FC Elite Youth Football Trials
Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL) and are past champions of the I-League and ISL. The club has launched its Soccer…
D’Souza Football Academy to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based D’Souza Football Academy is going to conduct football scholarship trials for its youth squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-7 to under-15….
Oscar SSE to conduct trials for Youth I-League in U13, U15&U18 category in Mumbai
OSCAR SSE, an AIFF Accredited Academy invites all U13, U15 & U18 players from ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC backgrounds for football trials to join our Elite teams to train round the year…
Elite Division / MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Air India to conduct senior team trials for MFA Elite League on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Senior Team to play the MFA Elite (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India…
MDFA / Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Air India to hold youth team trials on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Youth Team for the MFA Super (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India will…
MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Bhaichung Bhutia’s Residential Academy set to conduct trials in Mumbai
16th March, 2022: Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) will conduct Residential Academy trials in Maharashtra for the academic year 2022-23. In the next few months, the trials will be organized…
Bombay Muslims Sports Club to conduct trials for its Elite Division Team
Mumbai-based Bombay Muslims Sports Club will conduct trials for its Elite Men’s team for the upcoming MFA Elite League. Bombay Muslims have been a regular outfit in Mumbai Football top…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Elite Division club Salsette FC to hold trials
Thane-based Salsette FC will be conducting football Trials this Saturday for their upcoming MFA Elite Division 2021-22 Campaign. Salsette FC had been playing in Super Division back in the 2016-17…