"We helped ATK Mohun Bagan win," says Tony Grant after derby defeat

The SC East Bengal assistant tactician was of the opinion that his side almost gifted them the second goal.

The much-awaited Kolkata derby in the Indian Super League (ISL) concluded on Friday, with ATK Mohun Bagan successfully completing the double over arch-rivals SC East Bengal with a 3-1 win. "It was a good derby game. An honest and strong gameplay from both sides. We were sloppy in the back and we almost gifted them the second goal," said SCEB assistant coach Tony Grant in the post-match press conference after the final whistle.

SCEB helped Mariners win the game

Though the Red & Gold Brigade were able to earn an equalizer in the break, ATKMB's pressing game in the second half made their defense powerless. When asked about his takeaways from the game, the gaffer said, "I don't think the opposition has done much to win the game, rather we helped them win the game.

"Both teams almost cancelled each other before we turned sloppy to help them win the derby," he further added. The Mariners bagged two goals in just the last quarter of the game, owing to defensive mistakes from SCEB

In football you always have another chance

https://youtu.be/-C9Q8zqM3AU

When quizzed about the effect of this loss on the team's motivation, Tony Grant said, "I myself have played derbies, and this being huge means it's not a good feeling to lose it. In football, you always have another chance, so this comes up with the opportunity for us to get better and grow more for the next derbies ahead in the next season".

Unaware of future

"We don't know what will happen in the next season. Hopefully, this will be answered in the next week," the Englishman replied cryptically to a question on the future.

SCEB hopes to turn table next season

"It always hurts to lose derby games. All I can say to the fans that the boys have played with all their effort they played the hardest" said Tony Grant as he shared his thoughts with the SCEB fans. "We gave a crazy goal away. Chances will be coming up to put these wrong to right," the tactician further added.

He seemed quite optimistic as he said, "In the next season, we will have two more games against ATKMB. Now we have to see how we can turn the table next season," before signing off.