ISL 2: Helder Postiga still doubtful for FC Goa tie

Mumbai: When the Atletico De Kolkata (ATK) team headed to the airport from their hotel in Chennai – en route Goa – all eyes were on Helder Postiga. The Portuguese, stretched off after a brace in the season opener, seemed normal by gait but doubtful for the rubber against FC Goa on Wednesday.

After the match, ATK coach Antonio Habas said: “It was a difficult game and the pitch was horrible. I can’t comment on the injury, the physio is looking into it. But it is good to have three points.”

But according to sources, the 33-year-old has a blood clot behind his knees and hence, uncertain.

Read: Antonio Habas praises Postiga for match-winning brace

Postiga scored two scintillating goals against Chennaiyin FC on Saturday and helped the defending champions thump the Abhishek Bachchan-owned team 3-2.

Another blow to ATK will be the absence of champion defenders Rino Anto and Arnab Mandal who will be away for national duty.

But the mood in the camp, after the victorious start, is buoyant with players sticking to plans.

There were rumours of former players not abiding by rules set by the coach last season.

ISL 2: Helder Postiga pounds Chennai

It has been learnt that Fikru – instrumental in ATK’s title win in 2014 (who now plays for Chennaiyin FC) – set his own regulations on the turf to please fans, attract crowd. He apparently never got along with Habas.

But the revamped ATK this season, as seen in their first tie, is a different script.

Unlike Luis Garcia and Fikru, the Postiga-Iain Hume duo are more on the attacking side.

However, it remains to be seen whether ATK maintains the momentum of goals. They had lost steam after a mirror-cracking start in 2014 with five goalless matches in between.

After FC Goa, the team will take on familiar foes Kerala Blasters FC - the runners up of 2014 – in their own backyard.