ISL 2022-23: We didn’t take our opportunities – East Bengal FC head coach Stephen Constantine

East Bengal FC head coach Stephen Constantine admitted that the club didn’t take their chances in the 2-0 loss against Hyderabad FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Friday. The home team dominated the possession with 53% but could only take one shot on target.

However, the hosts took a total of seven shots off target but failed to capitalize on their chances. Meanwhile, Javier Siverio scored in the ninth minute for the Nizams and then Aaren D’Silva found the back of the net in the 90th minute.

This is the third straight loss for East Bengal FC and they will look to turn the tables in the upcoming matches. There were quite a few good chances for East Bengal but they could make the most of them.

“We had one or two good chances, we hit the crossbar in the first half but in the second half, we had three chances where we had to score. We could’ve won the game on another day, but we didn’t take our opportunities. And when you don’t take your opportunities, you get punished. The team gave a much better performance than in the last two-three games. You could see the spirit, the fight and the workmanship of the players but it wasn’t enough. We made too many mistakes, not just from a defending point of view but at the attacking end as well but I can’t complain about the boys for their efforts, they gave their best,” Constantine said in the official post-match press conference.

East Bengal FC has failed to come up with a collective show and it is leading to their downfall. The Kolkata club has managed only four wins in 14 matches and they are in ninth position in the standings. Constantine feels the team needs time to rebuild their squad.

“We had one or two good chances, we hit the crossbar in the first half but in the second half, we had three chances where we had to score. We could’ve won the game on another day, but we didn’t take our opportunities. And when you don’t take your opportunities, you get punished. The team gave a much better performance than in the last two-three games. You could see the spirit, the fight and the workmanship of the players but it wasn’t enough. We made too many mistakes, not just from a defending point of view but at the attacking end as well but I can’t complain about the boys for their efforts, they gave their best,” Constantine said in the official post-match press conference.

East Bengal FC will next face FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Thursday.