After drawing 2-2 against a higher rated side in their second ISL match, NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) head coach Gerard Nus said he is proud of the boys.
The 35-year-old Spaniard said that the performance was remarkable especially after going two goals down at the end of the first half.
A late goal from super-sub Idrissa Sylla ensured that NEUFC got away with an equal point against Kerala Blasters FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on November 26.
“We showed that we are a team that can adapt to the situations and we can come back even if the result is not in our favour. We showed character, we showed how good we can defend. But we also definitely showed that we can keep possession and create chances. We had many chances and a lot of possession. So, I’m proud of my team and the way they kept possession. We created many opportunities to score but the important thing is that we kept fighting even as the minutes flew by,” Nus said.
Nus, whose team had got full three points against a mighty Mumbai City FC side in their opener, also praised Kerala Blasters FC for the way they performed, particularly in the first half.
“We conceded two goals because they are a very good side. If you see the first goal, we knew it [about the threat from set-pieces] and we worked on it. The team did very well. They have fantastic players and a very good coach but this happens,” Nus, the youngest coach in the ISL, said.
Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC head coach Kibu Vicuna, whose side came into the game on the back of a defeat against ATK Mohun Bagan, was disappointed not to have got all three points.
“We have to think about both halves because I think in the first half we played very well. We had the ball and controlled the match but after their first goal, the match was open. I think we are on the way but I’m disappointed that we didn’t have two more points,” Vicuna said.
The Kochi-based club lost possession a number of times which eventually cost them dear. However, Vicuna reiterated that his club will continue to play out from the back. “…When we play from the back there is a risk of losing passes but we played very well in most moments and we will play better in the future,” he said.
