Margao (Goa), Dec 10 It will be a battle between two solid defensive setups as ATK Mohun Bagan face Hyderabad FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Friday. While Hyderabad have conceded just one goal in the three matches they have played thus far, Bagan have conceded twice, although both goals came in their previous match which was also their first defeat of the season.
Both sides also have depended on their strikers to provide goals Roy Krishna scoring four of the five goals that Bagan have scored thus far while both of Hyderabad's goals have been scored by Aridane Santana.
Bagan also remain the only team to not concede a goal from open play but their weakness in defending set pieces was exposed by Jamshedpur FC in their previous game. Coach Antonio Habas noted that it is an area that needs to be tightened up.
"Last season, we conceded one goal from set-pieces in all matches. Now in one match, we conceded two. I hope we improve on this. The opponents have good players for this situation. I have confidence in my team and I hope this kind of situation will not be repeated," he said.
Hyderabad have a chance of using the good start they have had to the season to surge ahead on the points table. They are unbeaten in the league and yet are currently placed sixth with five points, seven points behind the top-ranked Mumbai City FC. At the same time, they are the only team apart from the struggling East Bengal to have played three matches.
They will, however, be looking to improve their attack having managed just two goals thus far.
"It's true that we have been doing well defensively. But we have to score more goals. ATKMB is always going to be tough for all the teams because they have depth and strength in every department but what's most important for us is to look at what we can do better," said Hyderabad FC assistant coach Thangboi Singto
( With inputs from IANS )
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