NorthEast United head coach Khalid Jamil believes his team missed the services of Deshorn Brown after they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Odisha FC at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday in the 64th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League. Brown has been in sensational form in the ongoing ISL for the Highlanders as he has scored six goals in the seven matches of the tourney and he is currently the third-highest goal-scorer.
Meanwhile, Daniel Lalhlimpuia scored the opening goal for Odisha FC in the 17th minute of the game. Aridai Cabrera then doubled the team’s lead after five minutes and these two goals were enough for Odisha to bag much-needed three points.
When asked whether the defenders let the team down as they conceded two early goals, Jamil said in the post-match press conference, “No, you cannot say (that the defenders let the team down). See, as I said, you cannot blame the defense line, the midfield and forwards also need to work hard. But I think this result was because we missed the (Deshorn) Brown and we missed some players too. We changed some players and their positions. But everybody tried to work hard in the second half”.
Both the teams had almost equal possession but Odisha FC took a total of seven shots on target while NorthEast United could only manage two shots. Jamil added that his team was not outplayed by the opposition.
Jamil said, “No, talking about the start, we were not in good shape because we played differently in the first 25 minutes. But after that, we came in and everybody tried in the second half we tried, but we didn’t get the goals”.
NorthEast United has managed only two wins out of their 12 matches and hasn’t had a great start in the first half of the season. Thus, the Highlanders have a sleek chance of making it to the semifinal stages but Jamil is not losing hope.
He added, “Why not, because anything can happen in football, but looking at the situation. Yes, we have to work hard”.
NorthEast United FC will next face Chennaiyin FC at the same venue of PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday.
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