Indian Super League: Habas Pleased with Kolkata's Performance, While Reid Admits Mumbai Deserved to Lose

Atletico de Kolkata boss Antonio Lopez Habas says that he is pleased with his side's performance following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Mumbai City FC in the opening fixture of the inaugural Indian Super League at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Kolkata, who are co-owned by former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, did not disappoint in their opening fixture as they easily brushed aside Ranbir Kapoor-owned Mumbai City FC courtesy of strikes from Fikru Teferra, Borja Fernandez and Arnal Llibert.

And Habas says that his team played perfectly in their opening ISL fixture.

"It is never possible to execute a plan perfectly on the football pitch. I was very happy with the intensity and fitness levels of my boys and I think they played really well," said Antonio Lopez Habas, according to Goal.

"Mumbai City attacked us for the whole of 90 minutes and they did not let up. But my team played very well and we won. We pressed them high up and never let go."

When asked which player's performance he found impressive during the match, the former Valencia boss replied: "All players were fantastic. You cannot talk about only one player. We are a team and we played like one."

Meanwhile, Mumbai City boss Peter Reid admitted that Atletico de Kolkata were the better team and his side deserved to lose.

"The better team won. They passed it better. They crossed it better. It's not pleasing but those are the facts," he told Goal.

Although there were suggestions of Kolkata having an edge over Mumbai in the opening game due to them having spent more time on the artificial turf and the visitors not having their marquee players Freddie Ljungberg (calf injury) and Nicolas Anelka (suspension), Reid refuses to use these factors as excuses for their defeat.

"I will not offer any excuses. Both of us played on the same turf," said the Englishman. "As for Anelka, It was not getting FIFA's permission.

"How could a club play Anelka after that? If you are telling me Nicolas Anelka was available to play, obviously I would play him."

Despite their underwhelming start to the ISL, Reid insists that his side will learn from their mistakes and imrpove their results.

"Disappointing start for us and we will only get better," he added.