Kolkata: The trend continues. Do you know why the ATK players would be scared to score the title winning goal? It may seem weird, but the trend is encouraging this thought for sure. History repeated again and this time it’s Jewel Raja who is the victim.
In the first ISL in 2014, it was Mohammad Rafique, who scored the title winning goal at the DY Patil Stadium against Kerala Blasters to help them winning the first ISL title. He suddenly became the heart-throb for all the ATK fans. Unfortunately, the franchise didn’t retain him for the next season.
Same thing happened in this season as well. Jewel Raja, who had a decent ISL in 2016 and also scored from the spot to give the Kolkata outfit their second title in three seasons, has now receive the same treatment. Even in the draft, he was not chosen by the ATK management.
Speaking to www.xtratime.in, Jewel said, “It’s really unfortunate and I expected ATK to at least show some interest when Pune picked me. At least I could have told my soul that they had shown me the respect I deserved. But this is how it is.” He added, “When I was not picked by ATK, I wanted Pune to pick me as Habas knows me and likes my pattern of football.”
No doubt it will be a new challenge for Jewel and he is ready to accept the challenge. Jewel said, “I will be hoping for a Pune vs ATK final this season and again I want to score the winning goal again but this time against them.”