Don't think ATK Mohun Bagan dominated the game, says Robbie Fowler

The tactician also admitted that he was not satisfied with the result of the Kolkata derby.

It was a losing start for SC East Bengal in the Indian Super League, as they suffered a 0-2 debacle against arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan in their first game. Though the first half saw a competent display from the Red & Gold Brigade, it was the Mariners who took charge of the match after the break, with an early second half goal from Roy Krishna. Following the game, SC East Bengal boss Robbie Fowler interacted in the post-match press conference.

“I am not satisfied with the results, but I think performance-wise we were okay. In the first half we put on a great performance. The result is disappointing, but we showed glimpses of what we can be in the coming days,” he began.

Speaking on the performance of his team The Englishman said, “For a team that met two and half weeks ago, I think we have put up a good game. There wasn't much difference between the teams. The ones we played against were the champions last season and we were able to match them.”

 “It was nothing cautious. We didn't want to concede goals and wanted to win the game. Given the conditions that we started incredibly late here in Goa and this being our first match, the other team looked a bit sharp initially, but we came over it with the game,” said Fowler about his team’s cautious start," Robbie Fowler added.

On being quizzed about the lack of consistency from his target men in front of goal, the tactician shared some tactical insight, as he said, “I surely have to work on this situation. We were not able to score goals tonight. We created few chances in the box, but our main players failed to score them. 

“Sometimes it becomes tough to gain these chances, as the opponents were defending tight and we tried by bringing many men behind the ball. We know the level we have to reach and we’ll work on it.” He added, “Balwant was quite good. He has to improve some things more and will get back to the right tune.”

“I don't think ATKMB dominated the game. Certainly, we were a far better team in the first half and we should have scored some goals given the great chances we got,” Robbie Fowler stated when asked whether he thinks that it was ATK Mohun Bagan’s domination that took away the match.

“We have games coming up and we are focused on that. We have got a great team and thus we are pulling ourselves from the result. It was not a favourable result,” he signed off. 

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