Vincenzo Alberto Annese: We played decent but were unlucky

The Italian also deemed his team unlucky following the defeat to Odisha.

Northeast United FC have lost their 16th game of the season against Odisha in what was their final home game of the season. With this defeat, the Highlanders have become the team to have the lowest point tally in the history of the league, and have also conceded the most number of goals in a single season.

Though Vincenzo’s men approached this game against the Juggernauts with immense confidence and motivation, things just didn’t work out for them, and they got handed another agonizing defeat.

Following the game, Northeast United Head Coach Vincenzo Alberto spoke to the media. These are the main points from the press conference.

Thoughts on his team's performance

Following another bitter defeat, Vincenzo was asked about his views regarding the game. This is what the manager said, "First half very well, I mean we conceded a goal in corner kick where we know that we have this problem all the time, man marking and go outside fast from the box. We need to finish in the first half, we have two or three chances that we need to enter with the ball (score). The substitutions for Odisha in the second half were super, so we lost the game.”

“In my opinion, Gani did a good job, Hira Mondal also. We wanna press them, we wanna play, we wanna have more possession, but unlucky. Jithin had a very good chance one and one, also Gogoi, you must be a bit also lucky sometimes."

On his team's poor performance in the second half

After a good first half, in which Northeast were confident and created chances, things just didn’t work out for the home team in the second half, and they just weren’t the same side anymore. When asked about why this happened, Vincenzo said, "We start well second half, and just then we received the goal with one lapse that we don't track back.

They have quality Odisha and it's sad because we prepare the game very well, in the first half especially, we don't concede anything, we try to create some good counterattacks, and we were superb in some actions. A good opportunity for us to get a win because we play decent but unlucky."

High praise for Parthib

19-year-old Parthib Gogoi was once again brilliant for the Highlanders and was the only player that posed a threat to the visitors. A delighted Vincenzo said this on the youngster’s heroics. "So well, so well. He was very super because he kick so well (on Parthib's long-range attempt) in the path to the goal, he deserve to score and the defensive phase must improve still, but he must cut more in the center behind the striker, what I ask from him. But, he has all quality and time to improve himself.

On the lack of experience in Northeast’s squad

Vincenzo also made a point regarding a number of players’ presence in the squad, who haven’t played in the league in the past, and are making their debut this season. He also highlighted that his team lacks players with experience in the league, and that is one of the reasons for Northeast’s struggles. “We have a youthful team, it's no excuse, but it's reality. I mean other clubs, have more experience, in the middle, in defense, and in attack. Experience makes a lot of difference in these higher competitions.”