Not worried about Kerala's strong home support: ATK coach Molina

Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) coach Jose Molina on Friday said they aren't worried by the boisterous home support that Kerala Blasters will enjoy in the Indian Super League (ISL) football final on Sunday.

Molina said he was eagerly awaiting playing in front of such a passionate crowd.

"We have played there in this competition and we also achieved victory. It was a great atmosphere there," Molina told reporters here before leaving for Kochi.

"I was talking yesterday with my players, the thing is it's impossible to find a better atmosphere. It does not matter if it's the Kerala fans. It's what the players want to play in front of.

"It's a dream of every player to play in that kind of atmosphere," the Spaniard, who led the team to the summit clash in his first year at the helm, said.

ATK have a good track record against the Blasters and also beat them in the final in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2014. Molina though felt there would be no added advantage and he is not one who dwells on the past.

"If you ask me about about the past I always say I don't worry about the past. Past is past, we did not lose last season against them but that doesn't mean we will win here. I live in the present not in the past. We will try to play the best football possible," the former goalkeeper said.

"Kerala have good players and they are playing in their own stadium. I don't think we have any advantage. The team that plays better wins."

Canadian striker Iain Hume, who has been instrumental in ATK's journey so far scoring seven times, said they always believed they can reach the final.

"Its gonna be a great atmosphere as we all know. Our job is on the pitch. We have worked really hard to get here. We are ready for it. We are excited. From the inside we believed we are good enough to get to the final," the former Kerala Blasters striker said.

On his former team and facing them in the final, Hume said, "It's going to be a massive occasion.

"The first final was special (where he played for Kerala Blasters). It's another game and we cannot get overawed. We will be looking to give the best performance and try and play as well as we can.

"We know they are a strong side. They are in the final because they are good. We prepare for the game in our way and hopefully our plan will be better than theirs," Hume said.

--IANS

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