XtraTime Web Desk: ATK has been having a good pre-season campaign in Spain. Head Coach Steve Coppell and his men have been playing in Pinatar Arena Football Center, San Pedro del Pinatar ahead of the fifth season of ISL. Tomorrow, Saturday, 8th September 2018, ATK has a cracker of a match against London-based outfit Fulham FC as part of their pre-season friendly campaign. ATK are set to become the second Indian Super League (ISL) franchise to face a Premier League club.
They have so far played two friendly matches, against Tercera Division sides Lorca FC and Real Murcia Imperial and they have registered 1-0 wins in both. New signing Kalu Uche scored a penalty goal in the second half of the match to begin their campaign with a win. In the second match versus Real Murcia Imperial, Balwant Singh scored a beauty from a free kick that was curled in by Manuel Lanzarote.
Fulham are currently 13th on the 2018/19 Premier League table. With no league action this weekend due to the international break, the squad has travelled to Spain for some warm weather training.
The squad includes several first team players not called up for international duty, like World Cup winner Andre Schürrle, Captain Tom Cairney, Arsenal loanee Calum Chambers, in addition to Academy players.
“The team has shown a lot of spirit. Our first two outings have gone well, we have begun on a winning note. We just have to continue with the same focus as we play against Premier League side Fulham FC.”
Steve Coppell, Head Coach, ATK
Fulham squad: Floyd Ayité, Joe Bryan, Tom Cairney, Calum Chambers, Luca de la Torre, Harvey Elliott, Fabri, Tyrese Francois, Aboubakar Kamara, Maxime Le Marchand, Alfie Mawson, Denis Odoi, Matt O’Riley, Sergio Rico, Andre Schürrle, Luciano Vietto.
Manager: Slaviša Jokanović
Key players: Andre Schürrle (2014 World Cup winner), Luciano Vietto, Calum Chambers, Tom Cairney
ATK squad: Manuel Lanzarote, Kalu Uche, John Johnson, Gerson Vieira, Andre Bikey, Noussair El Maimouni, Everton Santos, Arindam Bhattacharya, Debjit Majumder, Avilash Paul, Ankit Mukherjee, Arnab Mondal, Prabir Das, Aiborlang Khongjee, Ricky Lallawmawma, Sena Ralte, Pronay Halder, Malsawmzuala, Jayesh Rane, Shaikh Faiaz, H Lalmaunkima, Komal Thatal, Hitesh Sharma, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Cavin Lobo, Balwant Singh.
Manager: Steve Coppell