Postiga changed the game-Vingada

The NEUFC boss conceded his team could contain his compatriot’s influence…

Atletico de Kolkata defeated hosts NorthEast United FC to bag all three points in a Indian Super League match played at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati yesterday. This was NEUFC’s second home defeat in a row which saw them slip to 3rd spot in the table after dominating the league for the first 20 days. On the other hand, the Kolkata team showed tremendous class with their marquee player Helder Postiga stealing the show in the second half. The Highlanders’ coach Nelo Vingada stated his team had a good first half but the second half was dominated by the visiting side. “This was one of the better games played till date in the ISL. It was against a better side, we made a good first half but they came better in the second,” said Vingada. “Again we played good football in the last 15-20 minutes but unfortunatly could not create any result,” he further added. The Portuguese who seemed a little bit upset with the result said a draw would have been a better result. “A win is a great step but a draw is better than a loss against an opponent like this. We created chances but we could not equalize,” said the Professor. If we could have made half of what we did in the first half, we could have come off better,” he acknowledged. On the performance of Helder Postiga the Portuguese have some fine words to share. “We arrived in the game and made some counter-attacks but Helder Postiga was class. It was difficult for us to control and stop his movements. He really changed the game and bought in organization,” Vingada on his compatriot. For the first time in 7 matches Vingada looked disappointed with the performance of his players. “First goal was okay, but we gifted the second goal. Our player gave a bad back pass as we lost out on the counter-attack,” he opined. On being asked about the controversial penalty appeal by his team in the 25th minute, which was denied by the referee waving play on, the coach said,” See, I am in a bad place to judge and I really do not know if that was a penalty. Others would see it better on TV replays and even if it was, you cannot change it now.” On the injury to Subrata Paul, he said, “Subrata Paul looks bad. If he could have continued he would have but he himself wanted to come off. So we have to see what condition he is in.” Answering a question on the below par performance of Robert Cullen, he defended the player.”He did more than I expected of him. He shot and crossed in well,” Vingada concluded. Photo © ISL Media