FC Goa 2-1 ATK: 3 Reasons why the Gaurs won the encounter | ISL 2019-20

#2 ATK’s defensive approach leads to their downfall

Habas was left ruing his defensive tactics

ATK started the game brightly as they tried to carve open the hosts’ rear-guard on a couple of occasions. However, as the game wore on, the visitors were content to retreat into their shell and allow Goa the majority of possession.

Consequently, the home side grew from strength to strength and started creating chances for themselves.

ATK’s defensive approach also meant that their strikers, David Williams and Roy Krishna were rid of any kind of support with the pair often getting outnumbered in the opposition half.

Javi and Sehnaj failed to have any offensive impact on the game whereas Edu Garcia also seemed devoid of ideas.

More worryingly though, when put under the slightest bit of pressure, ATK resorted to hoofing the ball forward rather than playing their way out of trouble. In the process, that allowed Carlos Pena and Mourtada to keep Krishna and Williams quiet and ensure that Goa never fell behind the eight-ball.

And, when the visitors started attacking, a few gaps opened up in Goa’s defence with the equaliser being a perfect case in point.

The away side applied a high press and forced the hosts into a minute mistake, which led to Krishna finding some space inside the box. The ricochet off his shot fell into the path of Jobby, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Hence, the ATK faithful couldn’t help but rue their lack of adventure at the start of the encounter. And, with them being displaced at the top of the ISL table, that bit of introspection couldn’t come sooner.