Gerard Nus: We deserved three points against East Bengal

The 35-year-old lauded his players' efforts after a big win.

NorthEast United continued their unbeaten start to the season after a 2-0 win against SC East Bengal. A Surchandra Singh own-goal and a goal in the 90th minute by Rochharzela saw the Highlanders climb to second position in the Indian Super League table. NEUFC head coach Gerard Nus spoke to the media after the game.

The Spaniard believes that his team deservedly got the three points. He remarked, “I think that definitely we deserved to get these three points. We did so many good things. We have to keep working because this is just the beginning of the season and I am so pleased with many things. But, again, we are building up a team that I believe is showing great performances.”

Despite climbing to second place in the table, the Highlanders’ head coach stated that he is not thinking about the playoffs yet.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DssiqsQV_CA

Gerard Nus said, “I don’t even think about the word playoffs, I don’t know what that means. In my head only I have now that we have really short time to get ready for the next one. We only have two days, we play on the third day against Bengaluru. It is going to be a massive challenge. So, I am just thinking now to congratulate my players because they did a really huge game and start from tomorrow for the next one.”

He also gave his reasons for substituting right-back Ashutosh Mehta at half-time. The head coach stated, “Because we have options. The good thing is that when you have players, that allows you to take decisions that sometimes you would wait or take in a different manner. But, in that case, we decided probably because of the yellow card and a player in the defensive line with a yellow card is risky. I was so happy with his performance and was so very happy with (Provat) Lakra when he came in.”

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Related: We were the better team against NorthEast, claims Robbie Fowler

Gerard Nus also defended his decision to not starting defender Dylan Fox. He said, “The main thing is that first we have a lot of players. I think Mashoor (Shereef) definitely deserved his chance like many others, but unfortunately I cannot play everyone. The rule is that only eleven play. Also, as I said, we have a lot of games coming up. We have another one in just 2-3 days. So, you have to give some rest when you can, players that have had a lot of minutes already.”

The Spaniard was full of praise for winger Ninthoinganba Meetei. “What I like about him (Ninthoi)? I think it will take like half an hour interview, so that I can say so many things. He is an amazing player. He represents not the future I would say, even just the present of Indian football. It’s a great example, how he’s good in attack and how he is doing defensively as well. I mean it is just amazing. One day we can have a coffee and a long conversation to talk about him. As  a person, he is one of the best humans and one of the best players also that I have,” Nus concluded.

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