Xtra Time Web Desk: ATK Mohun Bagan’s Head Coach Antonio Lopez Habas is respected for being straight forward. Regarded as one of the most successful foreign coaches in the history of ISL, Habas has already set his sights on winning the Indian Super League this season, having missed the title last season. The Mariners have some big additions to their side including Finland’s midfielder Joni Kauko and Hugo Boumous from Mumbai City FC.
“I think they (Joni Kauko, Hugo Boumous) are good players. Boumous is a player who has played very well in the ISL last season. Joni Kauko is also a very important player for us. It is a good balance between the attack and defence. These two foreign players are important for the season,” said Habas in an interview to ATK Mohun Bagan Media.
ATKMB”s preparation for the AFC Cup may not be ideal because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Habas said his new look team is ready for the challenge.
“The COVID situation meant it was not an ideal preparation, but there was no other way, we had to adapt,” Habas said during a media interaction here, ahead of their departure on August 14.
The Habas-coached side will take on the winners of the match between Bengaluru FC and Maldives” Club Eagles in their AFC Cup Group D (South Zone) match in Maldives on August 18. Maldives” Maziya Sports & Recreation and Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh are the other two teams in Group D.
“I always say that there are no excuses. The competition is waiting for us in the Maldives and we will have absolute preparation.”
ATKMB have made a slew of changes in their team, including snatching the high-profile French midfielder Hugo Boumous from Mumbai City FC.
The Spaniard said his target is to win the Indian Super League (ISL) in the upcoming season, after missing out the title with a narrow 1-2 loss to Mumbai in 2020-21.
“We didn”t win the title but the team was tied on the same points as Mumbai during the regular season. In the knock-outs, anything can happen.We had the possibility to win the title but we couldn”t. But now we have to increase our standard and the target this season is to win the ISL,” Habas said.