ISL 2019 | AFC Champions League spot is major motivator, admits Antonio Habas

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BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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ATK chief coach Antonia Habas hailed the proposed roadmap for Indian football, on Thursday, by admitting that the AFC Champions League playoff berth for the table-toppers will prove to be a major motivator. The sixth season of the ISL will kick-off as ATK take on Kerala Blasters at Kochi on Sunday.

As per the agreed roadmap, the Indian Super League (ISL) will replace the I-League as the top-tier competition in Indian football from the upcoming season. And the ISL table-toppers — not the champions — are guaranteed to get a ticket for the AFC Champions League playoffs.

“It is a big recognition which will motivate us more. It is a very good opportunity for players as they would get to play against the best of players of Asia,” Habas said on the sidelines of ATK Media Day in Kolkata, reported Scroll.

After two forgettable seasons in the tournament, the two-time champions have decided to bring back their most successful manager in Habas, who guided the team to a title win in the inaugural season and a playoff berth in the season that followed. They have also invested heavily in the team, most notably with the purchase of A-League’s Golden Boot recipient Roy Krishna

“I have the same target – to win. We are here to compete every day. I am very happy with the behaviour of my players. They are all charged up,” Habas added.

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