ISL has become more professional over years

Margao : The first head coach to win the Indian Super League trophy twice, Antonio Habas of ATK feels that the league has become more professional over the years with the coming in of better players and support staff.

He also said the latest title ATK won on Saturday after defeating Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the final here, though it was played without spectators due to COVID-19 pandemic, was more important than the club won in the inaugural season under him in 2014.

"It's different because in the first season, the Hero ISL was not the same competition. Now it is much more professional. There are better coaches, better players, more teams, more time in the competition," he said when asked to compare his success in the first ISL to the latest one.

"This title is more important than the first, but the first was also important because it was the first title," Habas added. ATK have now become the first ISL team to win the title thrice in the league's six year history, having also won the trophy in 2014 and 2016. Chennaiyin FC, who lost 1-2 in the summit clash on Saturday, had won the title twice (2015 and 2017-18).

Habas credited the collective effort of the team as the reason behind their latest title after injuries to key players early in the season created problems. "We are a group always, inside and outside of the pitch.

This is important. I have to congratulate the players for their fantastic work throughout the season. We had big problems with injuries to Carl McHugh, then Agus (Iniguez) and in the final, the problem to (Krishna) Roy. But the strength of the team was the collective effort," he said.

"His (Carl McHugh) injury was a big miss. And, after the problem to Agus, the team had some problems for two-to-three matches, but the strength of the group saved the situation. I think the mix between the Indian and foreign players was fantastic this season," he said.

The 62-year-old Spaniard admitted his side did not play well in the second half of the summit clash against Chennaiyin FC and his players were nervous.

Hernandez (10', 90+3') opened the scoring for ATK and capped off their summit clash with a stoppage time winner. Edu Garcia (48th) doubled ATK's lead before Nerijus Valkis (69th) pulled one back for two-time winners Chennaiyin.

ATK were dealt a body blow five minutes before halftime when Roy Krishna, their highest scorer and skipper, had to be substituted after he clutched his left hamstring in pain and could not continue.

"I think the match had two different parts. In the first half after the initial few minutes, we were better than Chennaiyin. And after that in the second half, with the injury to Roy (Krishna), the team was nervous and we needed the personality to keep the scoreline intact. In the end, ATK scored three goals to one and we won.

"We could not find the necessary personnel to keep scoring and kill the match off. In the second half, the team did not play well because we were afraid of losing our lead. It's normal also, but we had fantastic behaviour In some matches, you can win with the heart," he said.

Asked about the secret behind his success with ATK, Habas said,"ATK has people that love me, like I love ATK. I have a special connect with ATK since the first season and it continues. We are a family. This is amazing. This is the secret."

Target will remain to be the best club in India: ATK coach

The target for ATK, who became the first club to win three Indian Super League (ISL) titles, will always be to remain the best club in India, coach Habas said.

ATK will merge with I-League winners Mohun Bagan from next season into ATK-Mohun Bagan.

ATK rode Spanish midfielder Javi Hernandez's brace to defeat Chennaiyin FC 3-1 and grab their third title in a riveting closed-door final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

"I don't have any planning for that. Mohun Bagan is a big club in India, but we have to work with the same target to be the best club in India," Habas said at the post match media conference when asked about the merger and his plans if he is the coach of the rechristened side.

Habas became the most successful coach in ISL's short history after winning his second title with ATK. The Spaniard guided the team to the inaugural crown in 2014. ATK were second time champions under Jose Molina in 2016.