Last updated on .From the section Football

Football is popular in India, but it has to compete for space with cricket

The Indian Super League began on Sunday, with Peter Reid's Mumbai City losing 3-0 to Atletico de Kolkata.

India's former cricket captain Sachin Tendulkar, co-owner of ISL team Kerala Blasters, took part in the opening ceremony in Calcutta.

Mumbai players Nicolas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg were missing through suspension and injury respectively.

Goals from Fikru Teferra, Borja Fernandez and Arnal Llibert secured victory for the hosts.

Marquee players in the Indian Super League Atletico de Kolkata: Ex-Spain and Liverpool forward Luis Garcia Chennaiyin: Ex-Brazil and Manchester City playmaker Elano Delhi Dynamos: Ex-Italy and Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero FC Goa: Ex-France and Arsenal winger Robert Pires FC Pune City: Ex-France and Juventus striker David Trezeguet Kerala Blasters: Ex-England and Liverpool goalkeeper David James Mumbai City: Ex-Arsenal and Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg Northeast United FC: Ex-Spain and Villarreal defender Joan Capdevila

Former Liverpool players Luis Garcia, their marquee player, and Josemi both featured for Atletico.

Reid said: "The better team won on the day. We didn't deserve it. It happens in football."

The ISL will run as a 10-week, eight-team tournament with the aim of increasing the popularity of the sport in a country in which cricket dominates.

India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, co-owner of Kerala Blasters, with Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan, co-owner of Chennaiyin FC

Former Spain forward Luis Garcia played for Liverpool between 2004 and 2007

Borja Fernandez left Getafe in the summer to join Atletico