ATK Mohun Bagan’s hero Hugo Boumous was delighted with his team’s 4-2 win over Kerala Blasters in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday but called for improvements from his team ahead of the big derby against SC East Bengal next week.

The Mariners scripted a satisfying 4-2 win over Kerala Blasters FC where new recruit Boumous scored a brace, while talismanic striker Roy Krishna and Indian forward Liston Colaco scored once each to help their team get off to a lightning start.

On the other hand, Sahal Abdul Samad and Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz were on the scoresheet for the Blasters.

Boumous, who was justifiably awarded the man of the match, was more than elated after the thumping win.

“Of course, great (the win). Our main target was to win the first game tonight. We did it. So it's great. I think it's great as well as to have contributed to the winning of the team tonight with two goals. I think there is still a lot to improve, because we did some silly mistakes. But it's okay, because this shows that we still have a lot of potential to improve and to be a bit better for the next games,” said Hugo Boumous, after the win, on Friday.

Making his debut for the Kolkata-based side, Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko had a mixed game in the central midfield area. Having played most of his football in Europe, getting used to the humid conditions in Goa was a bit of a challenge for him.

“Oh, it's nice (the conditions). The pitch looks very, very good. So I'm happy for that. So far, everything is good. Of course, there has been a little bit of things with the heat and stuff but yeah, it's fine. So far I love it here. So I'm, I'm happy,” stated the Euro 2020 star, regarding his experience in India so far.

In spite of showing sparks in small spells, the Kerala Blasters FC side succumbed to the star-studded ATK Mohun Bagan side. As visible, the Tuskers will take away a lot of positives from the game. But, on the flip side, the weak areas have been exposed as well, especially the manner in which they conceded the goals.

“I'm certainly not satisfied with the way we conceded those goals in the first half. Also the fourth goal, the last one. It was a, like you said, a bitter pill to swallow, but, uh, I think that these kinds of things on a, on a high level you cannot afford, then you must not afford because if you want to play to end to end up high on the table, you, you must not concede these kinds of goals,” addressed Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, after the loss.

With three points and the momentum by their side, the ATK Mohun Bagan would be high on confidence when they face arch-rivals SC East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby, next Saturday evening. On the other hand, Kerala Blasters FC would be up against a spirited NorthEast United FC unit in their next fixture, on November 25.

Related tags:

2021-2022Hugo Boumous