Juan Ferrando respects the Sri Lankan club
Joy Banerjee | 7 Apr 2022
Pic Courtesy – ATK Mohun Bagan Media Team
In the pre-qualifying match of the AFC Cup, ATK Mohun Bagan will have to play against Sri Lankan Club Blue Star SC. Juan Ferrando, the Green Maroon coach, kept his eyes on the match between Sri Lanka’s Blue Star and Nepal’s Machhindra FC to find out which team ATKMB will play on April 12 at Yuba Bharati. After watching the match, the Spanish coach is reluctant to underestimate Blue Star. After the training at Yuba Bharati on Wednesday night, he said, “There is no reason to underestimate Sri Lanka’s Blue Star. The passing of the team is very good. Sometimes the team plays pressing football. After playing slow football for a while, the team suddenly starts to attack. And that creates the chances of the goals. We have to be careful because the game is ninety minutes long. The fate of the match will be decided within that time. Blue Star did not play well in the last ten minutes. For this reason, many people think that the team is not too good. I refuse to accept that. After the two goals, they probably didn’t want to give extra effort thinking about the next match.”
Ferrando noticed that the Sri Lankan team has the tendency to play long balls and also follows the strategy of sending the ball to the left-wing from the right back to turn the game.
“The Sri Lankan club is always trying to send the ball over the head of the opposition. Their center-back Chameera’s game is a lot like our Carl McHugh. He is good at defending and also able to increase the correct pass. We have to remember that one of the best clubs of their country is coming to play and we have to play with respect. That’s how we are getting ready. “
It is clear that Ferrando has measured the strengths and weaknesses of the Sri Lankan club by watching a match. The video analysts of the club have recorded the entire match. The Green Maroon coach will sort out the strategy in the next few days by analysing the video in the team meeting. However, Ferrando started practice on Wednesday with Tiri, Pritam Kotal, Roy Krishna, and others. Ferrando brought FC Goa to the number three position in the Champions League. Are you considering winning the AFC Cup this time? The ATK Mohun Bagan coach shook his head when he heard the question. He said, “I believe progress happens match by match. Now only ninety minutes of the Blue Star SC match are in my head. We have to get success at that time.” The Green Maroon coach said, “I hope the Mariners will come to watch our game, filling the gallery. The support of the Green Maroon members on the field will inspire us. I promise they will not have to return home disappointed. You can enjoy the joy of football by watching my team’s game.”