"We must stay united": Mehrajuddin Wadoo urges for unity after East Bengal loss in ISL 2025-26

The Black Panthers are yet to secure a win in the ISL

Mohammedan SC got thrashed by East Bengal FC in the Kolkata Derby with a historic goal margin, as they conceded seven goals. Defeat after defeat in the Indian Super League 2025-26 season, head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo addressed the media in the post-match press conference after the match.

They are currently placed in last position in the table with five points, with the relegation system on the line. This rule will haunt the Black Panthers after their harsh defeat. Mohammedan SC had conceded around 17 goals in their five outings in the ISL 2025-26, which showed team’s defensive vulnerability.

Let us take a look at what he had said after the clash.

Recovery after defeat as Mehrajuddin Wadoo addressed

Following the heavy defeat against East Bengal, head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo spoke honestly about the team’s struggles and their fight to survive in the Indian Super League.

Amid the pressure and last year’s situation, he said the club is going through a difficult time both on and off the pitch. But he remains fully committed, even when many players and staff left during the financial crisis, he chose to stay and support the club. He didn’t blame his players for the loss; instead, he said the team must stay United and learn from mistakes.

When I joined the club, I didn’t think about the outcome very often. I only think about supporting the club in every possible way I can. There were many players, staff and management who left the club in those times when Mohammeddan faced a financial crisis. I have also chosen the path, but I didn’t. I have a contract also, but I aim to put in every effort for my club as head coach. But at that time, the club had so many problems, and I was with the club. To support my club in the difficult time, playing ISL in this situation is very tough. You can say, the level of ISL, as far as my opinion is, if you don’t have that much quality, you didn’t survive. We have just one objective: to survive with this Mohammedan SC.

I fight with every situation, and the players as well. When we lost, we rose again, we didn’t have the sleep we needed cause we are here mentally. Blaming the players is not the solution for any team or fanbase. If you don’t have the tools and equipment for any work you went for, the work will not be done on any day. We are very disappointed, and players are also disappointed as well. This is a horrible result for us, but we rise again and again. We walk with these players and play.

“The Young players gave up easily”: Mehrajuddin Wadoo

Coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo highlighted that football is about both attacking and defending as a unit, but his team could not execute it properly on that day. He also compared the performance with their previous match against Bengaluru FC, where they gave a good fight, but against East Bengal did struggled to keep position on the ball.

We have to defend against them; we can’t get the best out of ourselves today in this match. I don’t think this is a game where I need to give any excuse to rescue. In my coaching, Football is attacking and defending. So, when we go to defend, we thought we had to be compact when the opponent gets the ball. But the silly mistakes cost us today. If you look at the first goal, it’s the mistake from our side. We always defend and attack as a team. It’s a tough job. With this plan, we won’t be a successful team. I thought, I will try. In the next match, we will rectify our mistakes.

When we played against Bengaluru FC, we lost so much possession. We played with our positives against East Bengal FC. But we conceded a silly goal at first, then the motivation broke. The Young players gave up easily, and that happened today.

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