NorthEast United FC’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali feels they can learn from their mistakes after their 4-2 loss against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Matchweek 15 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.
Tomi Juric gave a 1-0 lead to the Highlanders as the Australian converted his chance from the spot kick in the sixth minute. However, the hosts bounced back as Liston Colaco equalized for Antonio Habas’ team in the stoppage time before the half-time whistle.
Subsequently, Jason Cummins was able to put the Mariners in front but Tomi Juric equalized after halftime. However, Dimitri Petratos and Sahal Abdul Samad found the back of the net to give a thumping 4-2 win to their team.
Meanwhile, NorthEast United FC had 37.3% possession and could only take three shots on target.
“We worked very, very hard in the first half. And suddenly, with two sleeping seconds, we received two goals. Especially against a big team with big players, like Mohun Bagan SG have, you cannot make mistakes,” stated Benali in the post-match press conference.
The Spanish tactician rued missed opportunities for the loss.
“The problem is we had many chances to score, but we didn’t convert. And Mohun Bagan gets half a chance and they score against you. You know this is the difference. You know experienced players, quality players,” said Benali.
Admitting the lack of experience in his side, he added, “We have quality but we need experience. We have a lot of young players doing the job and we hope next time we don’t make the same mistakes, we can learn from it.”
However, the Spaniard was content with the way his players approached the game against the Mariners while playing away from home.
“We knew how Mohun Bagan SG were going to play. The game plan was perfect. We did it perfectly. But as you see, the first half, was a throw-in, a set piece. We slept, and they scored. The second one was a foul. We slept again and they scored. That’s the difference, you know. But, when a team like us arrives and plays against Mohun Bagan SG in their home like we do, looking at the eyes, we need to be proud. I will sleep very well tonight,” he shared.
He added, “I think the two goals in the first half hurt us at the last minute. Then we become 2-2. The problem is, we should have calmed down again. But we thought that we could go again for the game and we paid for it.”
NorthEast United FC will next face FC Goa at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Wednesday.
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