ISL: Rift in Kolkata franchise? Ganguly says fights, controversies are part and parcel of sport

KolkataUrging his team to put thetumultuous last few weeks behind Atletico de Kolkata coownerSourav Ganguly has said that fights and controversies arepart of every sport adding that its important to finish on ahighIf poor refereeing decisions were not enough reports ofa rift between coach Antonio Habas and captain Luis Garcia andCo proved to be a setback for the team which have three awaymatches on the trot before concluding the Indian Super Leaguegroup stage at home on December 10Tell me which Ganguly has not fought with DravidDhoni has not fought with Virat Kohli or Messi has not beenin trouble with Neymar in BarcelonaIve seen teams where players have not spoken to eachother but have still gone on to win the World Cup You need tobe a bit more kind to us at times Ganguly saidAtletico de Kolkata coownerSourav GangulyIts part and parcel in sport I woke up today laughingthat players went to practice 40 minutes late when theyactually were discussing what to do in the sessionGarcia and Co had a team meeting at the stadium on Monday and their manager Habas reportedly had no idea about thedevelopment and was kept waiting for 40 minutes at the groundRubbishing reports of a rift Ganguly asked which sportor team or player in the world did not make headlines in atournamentCoach was very much aware that the players needed 40minutes to be on the field I have played IPL for five yearssometime you need that break from each other have that quietsession And if that half an hour is seen in a way that thecoach is not in good terms with footballers then weve gotnothing to doATK have lost two in last four games to slip to No 2position and defeats included their 12 loss in Keralabecause of a refereeing errorLack of goalline technology had robbed ATK of a draw inKochi as the assistant referee had ruled out a sureshot goalin ATKs favour when Garcias stoppage time shot had crossedthe line after coming off the cross pieceBut Ganguly said they would overcome this stage withflying coloursWe started brilliantly then we probably slipped a bitand well finish well In sport every day is a new day Pasthas got no meaning in sport whether you win or lose That were still second the group shows that were still a strong team You got to wake up every morning believing that you can win You have seen us playing at our best the former India captain saidTaking a dig at the refereeing bloomer Ganguly furthersaid We did get two goals in the last game but we finishedwith one We should not have lost that game Well its not acriticism but we felt that we should have come out with onepoint But that did not happenSo weve to put that behind and come out of that Werestill second in the group We still have four more games to gobefore the semis are decidedThe element of surprise does not stay forever Be itcricket or football in a long tournament like this there willbe phases where you wont win Ganguly addedFlanked by Ethiopian forward Fikru Teferra and goalkeeperSubhasish Roy Chowdhury Ganguly said In such a longtournament the important thing is to reach the semis firstthen its anybodys game in the knockouts whoever play wellIts important in sport to be aware of where you are andtry and get better Hopefully we will make the last four thenits on the day in the knockoutATK will leave for Pune on November 27 before going toDelhi and Mumbai for their three successive away gamesThe Kolkata franchise will concluded their league stageat home versus FC Goa on December 10