Kolkata , December 14 : Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is still hopeful of a positive result from defending champions Atletico de Kolkata who are on the brink of exit after their 0-3 loss to Chennaiyin FC in the first-leg semifinal of Indian Super League football tournament. “It’s tough but that’s the way it is. This team has in the past scored four goals. It will do even if it’s 3-0… (Then) it will go to shootout,” the ATK co-owner told reporters here today.
In their home leg of the semis, ATK face Chennaiyin FC at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan Wednesday and Ganguly admitted that they had a poor outing in Pune where the first leg was held.
“Chennai played better than us. You don’t always become champions. Even Germany and Brazil are good teams but do they win the World Cup always? We have not played well.”
Ganguly further refused to comment on IPL players draft for the two new franchises – Pune and Rajkot.
Asked whether India skipper MS Dhoni should be picked for Pune, he said: “Let the team owners decide that. I’m not involved.”
The Cricket Association of Bengal signed a MOU with a super-speciality hospital of Kolkata for five years with a vision to improve cricketers health and safety. Apollo Gleneagles will provide healthcare support to CAB players and affiliated clubs besides providing first aid kits including stretcher to all the first division clubs . The hospital will also provide four ambulances for any emergency situation. Former and present cricketers will be provided with health cards . Speaking on the tie –up , CAB president Sourav Ganguly commented , “ We had two tragic incidents on a cricket field in recent times . Australian Phil Hughes and Ankit Keshri died in less than a year. CAB will have to be more cautious to avert this kind of incident .”