ATK take on NorthEast United FC in their final Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 encounter of the season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday. ATK have had a woeful season, picking up just three wins so far. They will be looking to avoid a last-place finish with a win or draw against NorthEast and their right-back Prabir Das, spoke to indansuperleague.com on the eve of the contest. Here are the excerpts.

Could you take us through ATK’s season?
This is part and parcel of a footballer’s life and one must accept it. We have been champions twice and reached the semi-finals the other time so obviously, there was an expectation from the fans that this season too would be good. But it hasn’t panned out that way. So, we have to find a way to accept it. We have been plagued by injury problems and our performances haven’t been up to the mark either. We just have to face these facts and try and move on.

Thoughts on your personal performances this season?
I would have been satisfied with my performances if it contributed to the team’s success. We have to do things better because there have been mistakes in the backline. So, we need to be mindful that those are not repeated in the future. There is nothing to take from this season. So, we will try to go and get a win and finish ninth and then start preparing for the Super Cup.

How crucial is it to gain momentum ahead of the Super Cup?
‘All’s well that ends well’ is a saying I believe in. The motivation levels in our team are not at an all-time high but I know we will still want to win the last match of the season when we walk out onto the pitch because ATK has never been in this situation before. So, we feel bad too. I have been here for two seasons now. So, we want to win the last match and give some happiness and hope to the fans before going into the Super Cup.

Any message for the fans?
All I want to tell our supporters is this. You were with us every step of the way when we became champions. What has happened this season is part and parcel of supporting a football team. Keep on supporting us the way you do even though the season is over for us. We will try to put in a better shift in the Super Cup. Keep supporting us and we will try to right the wrongs of this season and make you happy again. Please come to the stadium for our final game and support us.