March 29, 2026 01:10 pm (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Modi says govt taking steps to shield Indians from impact of Middle East crisis | Bengal polls a ‘fight for liberation from fear’, says Amit Shah as he unveils TMC chargesheet | ‘Won’t mix politics with sport’: Bangladesh lifts IPL broadcast ban | ‘Feeling blessed’: PM Modi attends Surya Tilak ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Temple virtually | ‘No lockdown’: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri dismisses rumours, assures preparedness amid West Asia tensions | Middle East crisis: Govt cuts excise duty by Rs 10 on petrol and diesel, giving big relief amid global oil shock | ‘Big boost for NCR connectivity’: PM Modi to inaugurate Noida International Airport Phase 1 tomorrow | HDFC chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned over power struggle with CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan: Report | PM Modi to chair meeting with CMs tomorrow amid West Asia conflict | ‘I said, no thanks’: Trump claims Iran offered him Supreme Leader role

Kolkata promises 'fatafati' football in ISL opener

| | Oct 12, 2014, at 04:33 am
Kolkata, Oct 11 (IBNS) Atletico de Kolkata manager Antonio Lopez Habas is all set to unleash a brand 'fatafati' football in the opening tie of Indian Super League (ISL) against Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Sunday.

"We want to play in 'fatafati' style. I want to Kolkata to play in their own style. We want to dish out an entertaining and intelligent soccer that will go well with the catchline of the team," Habas said when asked what would be their style of play with bulk of their players and support staff from Spain.

'Fatafati football' is the tagline of the side and Habas said: :"We are perfectly prepared, but all depend on the 90 minutes in the game. To be prepared is one thing. We have to deliver."

"We have gone well with the people of the city but result is more important. This is a universal game. We have professional players playing all over the world," he told reporters in a pre-match interview.

Asked whether Indian weather would affect them, he said: "The pitch, weather or the opponents should not be any excuse." Habas also said there's an uncertainty over Rakesh Masih who has a stomach problem.

On whether Nicolas Anelka's absence would be an advantage, he said: "It is not going to be a big deal. We have to play to our strengths." Borja Fernandez, who was also present for the meet, added: "What is important is that we play well. One person cannot change the fate of a side. We have ton play well as a team."

The former Real Madrid star also added that he was enjoying his stay in India. "Here the population is huge. But the people love football. I am hoping to do something exciting. It's a beautiful country and I am sure I will enjoy my stay."

(Reporting by Arindam Basu)

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.