ATK coach defends Belencoso

Juan Belencoso's profligacy may have denied former champions Atletico de Kolkata a win against a struggling FC Pune City but coach Jose Molina came out in support of the Spaniard.
Belencoso missed a flurry of chances including a sitter in front of an open net in the 78th minute as ATK finished their campaign with their eighth draw, the highest in the Indian Super League third edition today.
"I'm sure he's equally not happy. But the only thing I told him was 'congratulations, you did a great job.' I'm sure he has it in him to score more goals. I'm absolutely happy with Belencoso effort," Molina said at the postmatch news conference.

ATK remained unbeaten for six matches going into the semis but their home record was an aberration this season, with a solitary win from seven matches.
Molina's team will play a home leg and an away leg in the semis and in a lighter vein he wished to play both their last four matches away.
"We don't score goals here. In such a situation I wish we played both our semifinals away...Yes, I'm sad. But at the same time, I'm happy we could not win and happy because we created many chances. It's not good, if you want to criticise it's fine.

"But I think we created chances in all the matches. The most important this is we are playing the semis and will try to score more goals and try to play the final. We will try to improve and make the final," he added on a positive note.

The Kolkata franchise will have three days rest before starting their preparation for the knock-out stage.
"We will start training for semifinals after seeing who will be our opponents. I've time left to decide about my combination for the semis."
Antonio Habas team luckily escaped with Belencoso unable to fire and he congratulated his former team for qualifying into the semis.

"ATK are already in the semis while we are on our way home, so it's very difficult to motivate the team."
He further said there's a vast improvement among the Indian players in the ATK from the previous two seasons.
"The quality of Indian players has improved, they are more competitive, aggressive now."
Looking ahead Habas hoped to renew his contract in Pune.
"I want to continue in FC Pune City. There's a fantastic work atmosphere. We want to work ahead for a better team next season.