Containing joy of winning the first leg and focusing on the second semi-final should be Atletico de Kolkata's (ATK) aim against Mumbai City FC, marquee footballer Helder Postiga said here on Sunday.
The second leg will be played in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The city franchise inched closer to their second final in three seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL), beating Mumbai 3-2 in a fluctuating final, which witnessed all the five goals scord on the first half here on Saturday at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium.
Mumbai's star marquee Diego Forlan's red card in the 74th minute was an added bonus going into the second tie on Tuesday with a 1-0 lead. For the record, there is no away-goal rule in the ISL.
"The most important (thing) now is control the happiness," said Postiga, who won the penalty at the stroke of halftime, which was converted by team-mate Iain Hume to pull ATK ahead 3-2.
"Yesterday we played a very good match. Now we must focus on the second leg vs Mumbai. We are playing against a big team and it is important to focus on the match and forget yesterday's result," he said.
Asked about offensive role behind striker Hume, the former Portugal international said, "I play more back. I try and help the team from different positions. I think I have showed in the last few games that I can play in that position. For me it's not a new position."
Postiga, who represented Portugal in two World Cups and three Euro Cups, helping the nation reach the final at Euro 2004, said he is happy with where he is placed right now and is not thinking about what will happen next after the ISL.
"I don't know," the 34-year-old replied to a query whether he is mulling to retire anytime soon.
"I want to be champions and then I will decide. I played so many years outside my country and I will see what happens after ISL."
"I played more than 15 years of professional football. I want to see my mind after this competition. I will decide after this and go to my home and family. Let's see, you never know."
"I am so happy with my career. I make all my dreams. I played for my country and played for biggest clubs in the country. I could have done better but injuries are part of the game."
"When you play in big clubs, you want more and more. I have won big trophies, but things could be better. This is our life."
Lalrindika Ralte, who scored the opening goal for ATK on Saturday, said on a slightly different note that the influx of players from the north-east region of the country will not stop.
"Now more Mizoram footballers will come after seeing us if we do well here. It will be good for them," the East Bengal midfielder said.
--IANS
dm/sam/vt
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
