Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Kolkata: The new-found professionalism, thanks to the Indian Super League can really take the Indian football forward, Kerala Blasters FC assistant coach Trevor Morgan said on Saturday.
“There has been good playing surfaces. Organisation has been fantastic, the whole thing has just become more professional. It needs that injection as well. It can lead to really really good things for Indian football,” the former East Bengal coach told reporters.
Asked whether ISL revolution would rub the premier Indian I-League clubs the wrong way, the Englishman said: “We can’t really say that at the moment. Certainly the players would come back to their respective clubs. But you would have players with better experience.”
Morgan is yet to taste a win at the Sachin Tendulkar co-owned side as they’re on a two-match losing run having played both their matches away to be on the bottom of the table as they lock horns against league leaders Atletico de Kolkata here tomorrow.
Urging the team to step up, Morgan on a pragmatic note said the only way to look up is by scoring goals and start winning.
“We need to get up and running, get our season started. It does not matter where we deserved to be because we are at the bottom. For how much possession we have had or how much chances we created, we only have scored one goal. That needs to be rectified. We are creating opportunities, it’s now a question of converting them into goals.”
In an analytic perspective he added, “We have conceded three goals so far. One from the throw in, one from the penalty and one from the freekick. In certain situations of the game we need to stay alive and be in the game.”
They have been on the road playing both their matches away but Morgan said it’s not an excuse.
ATK have received setbacks with their coach Antonio
Habas, goalkeeping coach and mercurial forward Fikru Teferra suspended for disciplinary action but Morgan considered them to still be tough.
“ATK have been playing really well, they deserve to be in where they are at the moment. Luis Garcia did not play the other night and Lobo came in and scored two goals. They have got ample replacements.
On the availability of former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra, Morgan said, “He took a volley and hurt his ankle just as a precaution he’s gone to hospital to have an Xray. I can’t really comment anything beyond that.”
Morgan also became a bit of emotional returning to the venue 16 months after he bid goodbye with East Bengal and he hoped his new team too start doing well.
“It’s been 16 months since I was here. It was a memorable occasion the last ime I was here. I’m hoping for the same tomorrow.”
He however said he would not have any regret if the crowd boo him at the same venue where he enjoyed a good support a couple of seasons ago.
“I have always enjoyed good support here I don’t know whether the crowd will boo tomorrow. It’s Kolkata and you expect the crowd to support the home team. That’s the way football should be.”
PTI
