NorthEast United FC managed to complete a double on Atletico de Kolkata, as Antonio Lopez Habas dismiss the result as rubbish.
A penalty from NorthEast United FCa s marquee player Simao Sabrosa on the ninth minute consigned Atletico de Kolkata to their fourth loss of the season, as the Highlanders did the double on . Atletico de Kolkata.
Aletico de Kolkata manager Antonio Lopez Habas, known for his forthright views, on Saturday, was seen having a go at the referee David John Ganter during the post match press conference. Ganter awarded a spot kick in favour of the Highlanders on the seventh minute, after Carlos Lopez was brought down in the box by the Bostwanian midfield enforcer Ofentse Nato.
Habas, who saw his fourth defeat of the season, dismissed the penalty by claiming it to be a rubbish,a but accepting that mistakes from the referees are also part of the game.
a It was a rubbish penalty The match was about the referee and not us. It is part of the game. Today it was us, tomorrow, it may be any other team.We have to move on.a
Habas, who helped Atletico de Kolkata win the title last season, following the fourth loss of the season declined to comment about his possible future, but rather decided to concentrate on the upcoming game against Kerala Blasters, who became the first team to change their coaches midseason.
a I dona t want to talk about the semis, I want to concentrate on the next game.a
Meanwhile NorthEast United coach Cesar Farias was ecstatic to be able to complete the double over the defending champions.
a Kolkata has a team that has a great coach, a great coaching staff, a great group of players, a great stadium atmosphere and a lot of passionate fans. They are the reigning champions, so anybody will be motivated to play against them. Gaining six points against them was not like a gift, it had to have some merit.a
Farias, though, is careful enough to not allow the players to get carried away despite piping Kerala Blasters to the seventh spot. The Highlanders now host Chennaiyin FC in their next match on 11th and having won three of their five games, will be looking to continue their upward march.
a The Indian Super League is full of intensity. The past is past; now the focus is on the next game.a
Image Courtesy: ISL Media