ISL 2017: Three teams to watch out for

#2 ATK

ATK

History

The team was officially launched as Atlético de Kolkata in 2014. They are owned by Kolkata Games and Sports Pvt. Ltd. Initially, for the first three seasons, Spanish La Liga club Atlético Madrid were also a co-owners.

After the end of their partnership with the Spanish giants, Atletico de Kolkata have been rechristened to ATK. The 85,000-capacity Salt Lake Stadium is the home ground of ATK. Having previously won two ISL seasons, ATK are the strongest contenders once again. With the likes of Robbie Keane, former Tottenham Hotspur player, as their new marquee player, ATK are looking forward to their third ISL title. However, they are set to miss out on the services of top scorer Iain Hume, who has moved back to his former club Kerala Blasters.

Pre-season

ATK have a 100% win ratio in their pre-season friendlies on their Dubai tour. After defeating the Dubai Irish Football Club by 2-1 and Dibba Al-Hisn Sports & Culture Club by 3-2, they ransacked Turkmenistan U-19 by a margin of 5-1. Robin Singh, Bipin Singh Thounaojam and Robbie Keane each scored twice for the Teddy Sheringham-managed ATK.

Squad

Goalkeeper: Debjit, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kunzang Bhutia

Defenders: Anwar Ali, Ashutosh Mehta, Augustin Melwyn Fernandes, Jordi Figueras Montel, Keegan Pereira, Nallappan Mohanraj, Prabir, Tom Joseph Thorpe.

Midfielders: Bipin Singh Thounaojam, Carl Baker, Conor Thomas, Darren Caldeira, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Hitesh Sharma, Ronald Singh Shaikhom, Rupert Lamlang Nongrum, Shankar Sampingiraj.

Forwards: Jayesh Dilip Rane, Jose Egas dos Santos Branco, Njazi Kuqi, Robbie Keane, Robin Singh.