NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) head coach Gerard Nus has taken their 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC as a positive result. The Guwahati-based side remained unbeaten in Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 after a 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on December 8.
Trailing 2-1, Luis Machado scored the equaliser for the Highlanders in the 78th minute, his second of the game, and head coach Gerard Nus was happy with the way his team played against a tough team like Bengaluru FC.
“I am happy with a lot of the things that we did today. There has been a massive effort from the players. The last game was three days ago. We try to rotate the players as much as we can because these players deserve it.
“We wanted to get the three points but everything can change against a side like Bengaluru. We knew it was going to be very tough but I take this result as a positive one,” said Gerard Nus after the game.
After the Highlanders opened the scoring in the 4th minute, Bengaluru scored from a set-piece to equalise. Nus admitted that his team should not have conceded from a throw-in but was confident that his side will learn from their mistakes.
“We know that Bengaluru is a team that can create many chances and is a big threat on set-pieces. It’s very sad that they punished us from a set-piece. But we have to learn from these,” said Gerard Nus.
The Spaniard made a few changes to his starting XI yet again with Rochharzela and Suhair Vadakkepeedika getting their first starts of the season. “Every game is an opportunity for the players. Every game is a challenge for the coach to decide who starts and who will come in. It’s a huge task for the coaching staff but I am happy with my performance,” Gerard Nus said.
Bengaluru coach praise Gerard Nus’s team
Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC head coach Carles Cuadrat said his team worked hard for the three points and that he was content with their improvement in the final third. “We were working for the three points and trying our best. We came back after a bad start when they scored easily. We were very close to the three points. We are creating a lot of chances and the team is improving step-by-step.”
Cuadrat also heaped praise on their opponents, and said that they might be the team to beat this season. “I have to congratulate NorthEast United as well. They were very good defensively and played very well on the counter. They have started well. They are very positive right now so they are doing well. It might be very difficult to beat them.”
It was NorthEast United’s third draw in five matches, while Bengaluru, another unbeaten team this season, registered their third draw in four games.
