AGENCIES, KOLKATA: Buoyed by their thumping win in Mumbai, defending champions Atletico de Kolkata will look to climb up the ladder when they face bottom-placed NorthEast United FC in an Indian Super League football match here on Saturday.
After suffering a three consecutive losses, including one at home, the injury-ravaged ATK bounced back in style picking up a 4-1 win against the in-form Mumbai City FC, which had three wins on the trot.
The win in Mumbai also saw their main forward Iain Hume opening his account after a quiet six matches. The former Kerala Blasters striker had taken up ATK’s sole striker’s role in Antonio Habas’ 4-2-3-1 formation after Portuguese World Cupper Helder Postiga returned home with a hamstring injury.
The Canada International’s lean patch had hurt ATK miserably but after their win in Mumbai, they will now hope to be a transformed side.
Of their three successive losses, one had come at the Highlanders home venue in Guwahati and ATK would look to avenge the defeat before taking on another struggling team, Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi on November 10.
With four successive home outings to conclude the league stage, the reigning champions have an excellent opportunity to make the playoffs with ease.
