There were a few nervy moments in between but now Fijian talisman Roy Krishna has extended his contract with ATK Mohun Bagan keeping him in the Indian Super League for another season. Krishna guided the Mariners to the finals of the Indian Super League while leading the charts in scoring goals.
It was a well thought plan from Mohun Bagan to announce the stay of Roy Krishna on the Mohun Bagan day on 29th June. The day is celebrated in memory of Mohun Bagan’s victory over the East Yorkshire Regiment in the 1911 IFA Shield Final.
Krishna dug deep last season and scored some world-class goals to keep the Mariners in the hunt for the top spot till the very end. IN a successive second season in India, Roy Krishna scored 14 goals. It is just that last time he followed it up with more goals in the playoffs.
In normal circumstances, the Indian archer should be allowed to be present as the Fijian decided to shift base to New Zealand considering the opportunities in sports in the nation. It was during the arrival of the sport. Before joining the ISL, a lot of people called her out for joining a foreign league at that time it was not allowed and was against the culture of the country.
Krishna made it big at Wellington Phoenix in the A-League along with several other top players. The Fiji nation team captain ended the campaign as the top scorer in A-league. In the following season, it was ATK magic in all over the ISL. Krishna became the centre stage of attraction. He was the main piece in the jigsaw for Antonio Lopez Habas.
ATKMB’s journey begins next month as they will commence the season by playing in the AFC CUP. The Mariners are in the group with teams like Maziya S&RC and Bashundhara Kings in Group D of AFC Cup 2021. The last slot will be taken up by the winner of the playoff round match against Eagles FC vs Bengaluru FC.
Apart from Krishna, ATKMB have more or less completed the transfers for the upcoming season. Players like Joni Kauko, Liston Colaco, Ashutosh Mehta, Deepak Tangri, Hugo Boumous, Bidyananda Singh will bolster the ranks ahead of a new season.
