ISL: ATK, Kerala Blasters both in it for that fighting chance

Kolkata, February 7 : Defending champions ATK have been ravaged by injuries and left with just five foreign players as they make the last attempt in the season to do the improbable and stay alive in the Indian Super League.

ATK interim coach Ashley Westwood has lost all three games since the departure of Teddy Sheringham but the former Bengaluru FC coach is believing in the mathematical possibility that should they win all the remaining matches, they will move to 27 points and have a "fighting chance" of making it to the top four.

Their next clash is against Kerala Blasters at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) here on Thursday (February 8) and he will have to do without three foreign players as star striker Robbie Keane, Portuguese midfielder Zequinha and Wales midfielder David Cotterill have all been ruled out.

"We are still with a fighting chance. We can get to 27 points. There is little bit (of) hope. As professional footballers, they need to play for their careers and new contracts. You don't need motivating," said Westwood, adding that players should be hungry to be part of the next edition of ISL.

ATK lost their last league clash against leaders Bengaluru FC despite their rivals having a player sent off in the second session. Westwood said they "completely dominated" Bengaluru FC and had "chance after chance" but paid a price for not converting any of the chances that came their way.

Depleted ATK

Three foreigners - striker Robbie Keane, Portuguese midfielder Zequinha and Wales midfielder David Cotterill -have been ruled out for the game against Kerala Blasters.

Who needs batman when ATK have Robin?

ATK's Robin Singh warming up before an ISL match (Image: ISL Media)

Hume factor for Blasters

Kerala Blasters' Iain Hume (right) has five goals in the campaign, but is unavailable for this match. (Image: ISL Media)

The assist for @ckvineeth's winning goal against @FCPuneCity was Courage Pekuson's fifth of the season. One more assist will make him join first with @CurraisJosu in the all time assist charts for Kerala Blasters!#KeralaBlasters #NammudeSwantham #LetsFootball #HeroISL pic.twitter.com/czuogCq3sj — Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) February 7, 2018

Just one short

Courage Pekuson of Blasters is the danger man for ATK.

AW: I'm still confident in what I do. #AamarBukeyATK #KOLKER #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/n0hqkHJwLA — ATK (@WorldATK) February 7, 2018

Confidence is key

Ashley Westwood knows he has an uphill task ahead of him against Blasters.

All set for tomorrow's clash 💪#KOLKER #AamarBukeyATK #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/2gT4I9khbO — ATK (@WorldATK) February 7, 2018

Need to pull up their socks

ATK lost to Bengaluru FC in their previous match.

Kerala Blasters will be equally difficult particularly since the visitors now have a chance of qualification to the play-offs after scripting two victories in a row, including the last one against FC Pune City where CK Vineeth scored a last-gasp stunner.

Kerala Blasters are placed sixth with 20 points from 14 matches and have just four matches left to be played.

"We cannot falter. We need nothing less than four more wins from the remaining fixtures," said Kerala Blasters coach David James.

James took over the team midway into the season and has turned the team's fortunes wining 13 points from the last seven matches. Under Rene Meulensteen, Kerala had only seven points from the first seven matches.

"There is lot of talent in Kerala (Blasters). I am genuinely surprised that they were not higher up the table (when I took charge). I am fortunate to have such a group of players who are thoroughly enthusiastic to do well," said James.

Kerala Blasters will miss the services of their captain Sandesh Jhingan, who remains suspended after accumulating four yellow cards. According to the coach, they will also miss some players due to injuries and are waiting to know from the organisers if they can replace an injured foreign player with an Indian footballer, probably hinting at Iain Hume's knee injury sustained in last game and may not be available for the rest of season.

ATK vs Kerala Blasters

Indian Super League

Live from Kolkata

At 8 pm (Thursday, February 8)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar

Source: ISL Media