Depth in squad is our key, says ATK winger Doutie
Internet Desk: Atletico de Kolkata winger Sameehg Doutie on Wednesday said his team’s depth in squad will be crucial when they lock horns with league-toppers Mumbai City FC in the semi-final first leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Saturday.
“We have reached the semi-finals not because of any individual but because the team combination was good,” Doutie told reporters when asked which according to him would be a better combination between Helder Postiga and Juan Belencoso or Postiga and Iain Hume.
“We have depth in squad which has helped us till here,” the fleet-footer winger who has been a vital cog in ATK’s wheel so far, said.
ATK, who finished fourth in the points table, played out eight draws in 14 outings to reach the semis.
Doutie though swept aside questions of the city franchise being goal shy.
“We have the opportunity to go to the final. We have now made three semi-finals. The draws are not a concern. The aim was to reach here and we have done that. Now we have to think of the knockouts which is a completely different ball game.The people of Kolkata have to support us. We have to believe we can go all the way.”
Like coach Jose Molina, Doutie also believes playing at home first does not make any difference.
“It doesn’t make a difference whether we are playing home or away first. The first game is always very important. This is the game where we have to give everything, and then you can think of the second leg,” Doutie asserted.