Former Phoenix star Roy Krishna fires club into Indian Super League semi-finals

posted in: News, Recognition

Former Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna has lifted his side into the semi-finals of the Indian Super League for the second year in a row, scoring the vital goal for three-time title winners ATK Mohun Bagan.

Krishna (34) struck in the 45th minute to give ATKMB a 1-0 win against eighth-placed Chennaiyin FC and three vital league points which ensure his club goes into the play-offs between the top four sides.

For Krishna, the goal was a welcome relief after a season disrupted by injury, a dose of COVID-19 and a red card in his comeback game.

He has played only 12 times this season and his latest goal was his fifth of the season and his first in 2022.

Main photo: Krishna celebrates his match-winning strike.

With his contract ending at ATKMB this year, Krishna may well be in the final stages of a career that’s taken him from Fiji club Labasa in 2006 to become one of Oceania’s most prolific goalscorers. He’s among the five top goalscorers in the ISL since its inception in 2014.

After five years with Waitakere United — where he scored 65 goals in 75 appearances — he joined Auckland City and soon won a professional contract with the Phoenix.

Considered the best Fijian footballer ever, Krishna’s place in the game’s history is assured. He was named an Oceania Football Confederation ambassador last year and he’ll remain a fans’ favourite at the Phoenix for whom he scored 65 goals in 122 appearances.

Krishna will miss the play-offs of the ISL as he’ll be in Qatar, captaining Fiji in the Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying series where he lines up against the All Whites, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia at the eight-nation event that starts on March 18.

Video replay – Krishna scores the winner

Video replay – Krishna’s post-match interview

Krishna’s goal puts dampeners on Des Buckingham’s season

Krishna’s goal, and his side’s three points, makes it more difficult for last year’s champions Mumbai City to finish in the play-off places.

Mumbai’s head coach is former New Zealand U-20s and Wellington Phoenix coach Des Buckingham, who is assisted by former Auckland United coach Hiroshi Miyazawa.

🟠. Click here for more about the Buckingham/Miyazawa partnership at Mumbai >>>>

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