We have the power to beat FC Nasaf, says Antonio Habas ahead of AFC Cup inter-zone semifinal

ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Antonio Lopez Habas has expressed confidence that they can beat FC Nasaf in the AFC Cup inter-zone semi-final in Uzbekistan on Wednesday. The Mariners will have their work cut out against a formidable unit however Habas feels his team can come on top if they bring their best to the table.

Habas admitted that FC Nasaf is a potent team but believes they can upset them. The ATK Mohun Bagan’s manager revealed the team has had a good training session in Dubai and will try to give their best.

“No coach in the world can guarantee ‘victory’. Our preparation in Dubai has been quite good. We are optimistic about winning. We also have in our mind that our opponent is a strong team but we have the power to defeat Nasaf,” Habas told the media on the eve of the game.

“They perform well in competitive tournaments. They are quite strong as a competitor. Like us, they have footballers who can change the color of the match in no time.”

Habas feels not only wing play but also they will need to create space in the field to make their chances against FC Nasaf.

“Not just wing play, but many factors are there. We have to try to open the mouth of the goal by creating space for the defense of the opponent. For that, we will do everything that needs to be done,” he said.

Meanwhile, ATK Mohun Bagan has added Joni Kauko, Prabir Das, and Michael Soosairaj to the squad for the semi-final contest.

ATK Mohun Bagan had won two out of their three matches in Group stages of AFC Cup whereas FC Nasaf had won all their three matches in Group F. Thus, the hosts will be high on confidence whereas the tourists will need to bring their best to the table to stun their opponent.

If ATK Mohun Bagan wins against FC Nasaf, they will face Lee Man FC of Hong Kong in the inter-zone final on October 20.