Mario Rivera says SCEB will comeback stronger with new team next season

Despite having one more game to go, SCEB will end the 2021-22 season at the bottom.

SC East Bengal extended their winless run to seven matches after playing a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United in the Indian Super League. The stalemate means Mario Rivera's side will finish at the bottom of t

he pile irrespective of the result in their final game against Bengaluru FC. After Marco Sahanek put NorthEast United in the final minute of the first half, Antonio Perosevic’s penalty was enough to salvage a point, but not to pull SC East Bengal out of last place.

Despite the result in their final game becoming inconsequential, coach Rivera promised his side would chase a win and hope to end their long winless run and at the same time finish their campaign on a high. Here’s head coach Mario Rivera's thoughts on the draw:

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Should You Have Won the Match?

SC East Bengal were by far the superior team throughout the game and had numerous chances to score. However, the final finish eluded them all night.

“Yes, we should have won the match. We had 18 shots and created many chances, but couldn’t score one more goal. They had an easy sight of goal and scored,” the coach deduced.

Update on Darren Sidoel & Fran Sota

Dutchman Darren Sidoel was slated to start the game, but was replaced by Joyner Lourenco at the last moment. “Darren got injured in the ankle and couldn’t play.

"We have another injury concern in Fran Sota, who might have broken his wrist. We’ll have to wait and see whether they can play in the next match,” Mario Rivera updated the media.

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Whether Ananta Tamang Will Make an Appearance

Nepalese centre-back Ananta Tamang was signed with only the last two games remaining. “Let’s see. He had one training session the day before the match.

"Tomorrow will be an intensive session for him and we will have to see if he is fit to play. We signed him because we needed to fill the Asian player quota, but if he is here and ready, we will use him," Rivera revealed.

Message for Fans

Fans and well-wishers of the historic club have been frustrated throughout the season and would love to end the campaign on a good note. “We’ll have to tell the fans that we try and try and try. They can see the fight in the matches itself.

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"We will try to win in the next match and dedicate it to the fans because they deserve it. After this season, we will come back stronger with a new team, as the history of this club can tell," the coach asserted.

Prospect of giving young players a chance

SC East Bengal play BFC in their last game of the season. With nothing left to play for except their pride, the media quizzed the Spaniard on whether he could give the young players a run.

“Yes, most probably. Many of the players are injured and the youngsters have played well whenever they have. We’ll see and I can play all of them, as they have played well in the past three games. We’ll see," Mario Rivera signed off.

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