ATK 3 (3) -1 (2) Bengaluru FC: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis as ATK book final berth | ISL 2019-20

#4 ATK’s hitmen produce the goods, yet again

Williams popped up with a brace (Image: ISL)

In the off-season, ATK broke the bank to acquire Krishna and Williams as they hoped to resurrect the club and establish themselves among the higher echelons of the ISL. At the start of the campaign, the pair combined superbly as the Kolkata-based outfit raced clear at the perch of the table.

However, more recently, ATK have had to solely rely upon Krishna, especially after the injuries sustained by Williams. Yet, in perhaps their biggest game of the season, the Australian came up trumps and powered his side past Bengaluru FC.

For a major chunk of the encounter, the pair looked threatening with them often switching roles. At times, the Fijian played on the shoulder of the last defender whereas on other occasions, he drifted deep to allow Williams to run beyond him.

The duo combined exceptionally in the 30th minute when Krishna held the ball up and fed the Australian. The latter then found Prabir on the overlap and the Indian whipped a sensational ball into the Fijian’s path, thereby allowing him to prod home the equalizer.

Post the break, Williams took centre stage as he earned a penalty in the 63rd minute following crafty footwork on the edge of the box. He converted the resulting spot-kick to give ATK the lead on the night, although they still trailed on away goals.

However, as the clock struck the 79th minute, the Australian popped up with only his second goal since Christmas when he arched his neck brilliantly to beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu from 15 yards.

Thus, over the course of the contest, the pair had again highlighted their significance to ATK. And, though there were a few sceptics who questioned Williams’ lack of recent goals, they were silenced rather emphatically.