Calcutta: The marquee player of Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) Helder Postiga was a happy man on Saturday. And he had every reason to be so.
Making a comeback after three weeks - he picked up an injury during an away match against Kerala Blasters on October 5 - the former Portuguese international came off the bench on Friday to score the equaliser against NorthEast United FC in Guwahati. Juan Belencoso netted the winner for ATK.
"I am happy. Not just because I found my name on the scoresheet, it's also because we logged full points from a very difficult match... We're on the right track," Postiga said in Barasat where he along with Iain Hume, Pritam Kotal and Debjit Majumder celebrated Kali Puja at the KNC Regiment.
Postiga said he will be 100 per cent fit in a week's time and more match-time he gets the better. "Look I have played only and one match in ISL III. Right now I am not 100 per cent fit. But give me seven more days and see the difference. I am not thinking about myself playing a big role in the ISL III final. That's too far away. Right now I am taking one match at a time," Cristano Ronaldo's former international teammate said.
Talking about ATK's performance in the ongoing ISL, Postiga said they are on the right track. "Yes we are doing well. I must admit (Jose) Molina is a doing a wonderful job with the bunch. I am confident that we will do well this season," he said. For the record, ATK are on top of the table with 12 points from seven matches, followed by Mumbai City FC who have 11 points from seven.
Hume did not play on Friday as Molina decided to give Belencoso a start. But Hume refused to see much into that. Instead he was happy to see Postiga making a comeback. "It' a big boost for us. Postiga is back in the mix and that's the best news," he said.
Hume was overwhelmed by the fans' response in Barasat. "It's an amazing feeling. I never thought we would get such a rousing welcome here. Now it's our responsibility to make sure the fans are happy with our performance."
Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters had to settle for a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
In a tale of two halves, Chennaiyin FC dominated in the first session, creating plenty of chances but could not give finishing touches. Kerala Blasters were the stronger of the two teams in the second session but couldn't keep their shots on target.
The draw did neither teams any good. Chennaiyin FC occupy the fourth spot after their second consecutive draw with nine points from six matches. Kerala Blasters continue their onward progress and they too now have nine points.
In the second minute itself, Chennaiyin FC could have taken the lead. Raphael Augusto won the ball in Blasters' own half and played it down for Dudu Omagbemi whose left-footer was nervously parried away by goalkeeper Sandip Nandy before a defender kicked it away for a corner.
