Everything went wrong, rues Juan Pedro Benali after shocking loss to East Bengal
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
Juan Pedro Benali’s side even missed a penalty towards the latter stages of the game.
NorthEast United were torn to shreds by East Bengal on a ‘cold’ Monday night (not the temperature rather the scoreline) in Kolkata. The Highlanders were handed a shambolic 5-0 defeat by the Red & Gold Brigade. It was a very different and unexpected performance from Juan Pedro Benali’s side.
Nothing went NorthEast United’s way as they couldn’t even convert a spot-kick which Phalguni Singh had earned towards the end of the game. After the fixture, NorthEast United’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali addressed the media. Excerpts from the conversation are below:
Thoughts on the game
When asked about his thoughts on the game, the head coach said that everything that could go wrong, went wrong for his side.
“I think it was a bad day in Kolkata for us. Everything went wrong. Defensively, in attack, everything else. The marking was very bad, we didn’t hold the ball efficiently, the passes were only backwards, no changing sides. Defensively, we were not able to defend the the crosses.”
He also added that his side made a lot of mistakes and even missed a penalty.
“We did a lot of mistakes. Even, we had the chance to get one (goal) in the first half. It would have given us more hope for life. (But) At the moment we’re going to make changes. Everything collapsed and we even missed the penalty. When everything is going bad, it’s going bad,” he stated.
Absence of Mohammed Ali Bemammer
NorthEast United missed the services of their defensive midfielder Mohammad Ali Bemammer who was out due to a suspension. When asked if his absence affected the team, Juan Pedro Benali said, “He (Bemammer) is a very important player for us. But it’s not only the mistake of the midfield. It was a little bit of everything. Each player was out of his position.”
He also added that his side did not perform as they should have because the players were nervous.
“We didn’t perform as we should do. We were a little bit nervous. During the first half, we saw the two goals just leaving the players to receive alone, playing alone. We don’t follow the one-twos. It’s a lot of mistakes,” he signed off.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
- AIFF launches new talent scouting policy to revolutionize Indian football
- Norwich City vs Burnley Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds
- Watford vs West Brom Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds
- PSG vs Lyon Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds
- RB Leipzig vs Eintracht Frankfurt Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds
- I-League 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more
- ISL 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more
- Mohun Bagan chairman Sanjiv Goenka announces special gift for fans: ISL
- I am proud of how the team played today, says Kerala Blasters coach Mikael Stahre
- Three East Bengal players who can replace Madih Talal after his ACL injury