Atlético de Kolkata head coach Jose Molina was pleased as punch following his team's 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC on Tuesday that secured them a place in the semi-finals. With the result, ATK also became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals in all three editions of the Hero Indian Super League so far.

Speaking to the media after the match, an exultant Molina said: “I am really happy to have qualified for the semi-finals as it was our first aim. We tried to win today but we knew one point would be enough for us to qualify, and we now have a game against Pune and we will try to win against them too, and we will give some new players an opportunity to play and we will give a bit of rest to some players who have featured in a lot of matches.”

It was Kolkata's seventh draw this season, raising some serious questions over their title credentials. “Yes, in some places we went wrong like conceding some silly goals and we did not make these mistakes deliberately. The team is working really well and the team is working really hard, and in 13 matches we have only two defeats, so it's not bad, and in all the matches we played and we tried to win, and sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. The most important thing is to be in the semi-finals,” Molina said.

Out of their six matches at home so far, ATK got four draws, one win and one loss. When asked if the small size of the ground played a factor in that, Molina said: “I think the pitch is good, grass is also good and I think the problem is, and I am thankful to the fans who come to support us, but since it is an open stadium, there is not much noise. I think the players need the noise and I am really thankful to the fans who come here, and there are people who talk about the great atmosphere at the Salt Lake Stadium but that is not the case here, and I think that is one of the reasons why we could not win many matches here.”

Kerala's opening goal came after a goalkeeping error by Debjit Majumder in the eighth minute. Molina, who himself was a goalkeeper in his playing days, however defended Majumder. “For goalkeepers, we know we have to live with the mistakes and we know we are not perfect, and 95% when a keeper makes a mistake it is a goal and I am not happy and I am sure Debjit is not happy but Debjit has been working very hard and I see him improving, and that is football, it happens.”

With the result on Tuesday, Delhi Dynamos FC also advanced to the semis. Molina said the Lions were the best opponents this season. He also regretted not beating league leaders Mumbai City FC at home earlier in the season. “I think the best opponent for me was Delhi and I don't know why, and I can't understand why we did not win against Mumbai here but that is football you know, and maybe if we face them again we will try to win.”